Trustee charged $36K to home improvement stores — presumably for renovations

EDITOR’S Notice: This is one of quite a few studies on courtroom-purchased launch of Fairfield Township’s credit card records and what these credit history card statements reveal. On the other hand, Trustee Taletha Coles did not flip above the receipts for the credit rating credit history card buys and there are missing statements..

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit rating card costs over a few decades to her renovations at the township’s place of work on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be immediately tied to property advancement buys.

A Journal & Courier’s ongoing assessment of the court-purchased launch of the township’s credit history card statements showed that among January 2019 and July 2021, Coles charged $36,691.51 to area property improvement retailers, as well as to Just Blinds, Best Get, and Cork Flooring.

However, there are several months that do not have credit history card statements, and there are statements that are only two webpages. The documents show there are various missing web pages that were being not furnished to the general public.

The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for remark about the paying, such as extra than $2,000 of buys at Best Invest in in March 2020. Coles did not reply.

In May 2019, Coles billed $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s place of work. She also billed additional than $1,300 that month to Nationwide Business Home furnishings. In June 2019, Coles charged $2,652.59 to Cork Floors and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.

Extra on Taletha Coles: Fairfield Township taxpayers funding trustee’s meditation, massages, on the web discovering

The credit card statements show other prices to merchants that may thrust the renovation totals even bigger, but devoid of the receipts, which the J&C requested, you will find no way to get a much more correct accounting.

The Indiana Point out Police and the Condition Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s funds since Coles became trustee in January 2019.

Story carries on

Coles was functioning for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic primary. She faced opposition from Fairfield Township Board customers Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.

Republican Fairfield Township trustee candidate April O’Brien is working unopposed and will facial area the Democratic most important winner.

In the past, Coles blamed her significant credit history card shelling out — which includes common purchases at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not include things like any Sam’s Club buys in the full described now because there are not indications that the Sam’s Club purchases experienced something to do with renovations.

Investing: Fairfield Township trustee billed $41K on credit score card in 2021

In its Sept. 17, 2021, request to inspect general public documents, The Journal & Courier requested to inspect credit score card receipts as well as credit card statements.

The Journal & Courier filed a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to develop the asked for documents. Coles offered some regular monthly credit score card statements, but there are pages missing and months lacking from individuals statements.

Access Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Stick to on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This report initially appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette trustee billed $36K to home enhancement suppliers