A local business owner is taking legal action against municipal authorities, alleging a series of rights violations and misconduct. Lawrence Gardner, along with his company E-Vett Trucking and Warehouse, filed a complaint on November 18, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The defendants include the Village of Dolton, Mayor Tiffany Henyard, Inspector Kim Alston, and Commander Lacey.
The case revolves around Gardner's property at 1330 E. 42nd St. in Dolton, Illinois. After purchasing the property in April 2021 and starting his business there, Gardner faced multiple challenges from local authorities. He claims that despite making necessary repairs and applying for a business license in September 2021—understanding he could operate while it was processed—his business was shut down by the Village of Dolton Police Department on May 3, 2022. This occurred even though the property met code requirements according to village inspectors.
Gardner eventually received his business license on June 6, 2022. However, subsequent incidents included being cited for unauthorized liquor sales during a January 22, 2023 event at his business location—a charge he disputes as false since no alcohol was sold. An administrative court initially found him liable for this violation on February 16 but not for other charges.
Gardner sought judicial review of this decision on March 16, resulting in a default judgment against the Village of Dolton when they failed to respond by May 22. Despite this ruling favoring Gardner and ordering cost payments from the village—which remain unpaid—the village closed his business again on May 27 under claims it wasn’t approved for occupancy.
Allegations extend beyond administrative mishandling to include accusations of due process violations under the Fourteenth Amendment and illegal searches infringing upon Fourth Amendment rights. The complaint details numerous warrantless raids led by Commander Lacey at Mayor Henyard’s directive; these actions allegedly included physical assault against Gardner during an April incident where he was injured after being thrown against a desk.
Gardner accuses Mayor Henyard of using her position to obstruct access to his property through police intervention without proper legal basis or exigent circumstances—a pattern he asserts continued with multiple false arrests throughout mid-2023 into early January 2024.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for financial losses suffered due to interrupted business operations alongside punitive damages for emotional distress caused by these repeated intrusions and confrontations with law enforcement officials acting under alleged orders from municipal leadership.
Represented by Gregory E. Kulis & Associates Ltd., Gardner is pursuing relief through various counts including due process violations (Count I), illegal search (Count II), excessive force (Count III), false arrest across several instances (Counts IV-VI), First Amendment infringement related to protest activities (Count VII), Monell policy claims against systemic practices within Dolton's governance structure (Counts VIII-IX), and indemnification obligations under Illinois law should individual defendants be found liable.
Judge presiding over this matter has yet to be assigned as proceedings commence under Case ID: 1:24-cv-11825.