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

EDITOR’S Notice: This is one of several studies on court docket-purchased launch of Fairfield Township’s credit history card records and what these credit score card statements expose. Nonetheless, Trustee Taletha Coles did not change more than the receipts for the credit history credit rating card purchases and there are lacking statements..

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit score card costs around 3 years to her renovations at the township’s business office on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be instantly tied to residence improvement purchases.

A Journal & Courier’s ongoing critique of the courtroom-ordered launch of the township’s credit history card statements confirmed that amongst January 2019 and July 2021, Coles charged $36,691.51 to local household improvement suppliers, as properly as to Just Blinds, Finest Purchase, and Cork Floors.

Even so, there are many months that do not have credit rating card statements, and there are statements that are only two web pages. The files show there are numerous missing pages that have been not offered to the general public.

The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for comment about the expending, such as more than $2,000 of purchases at Greatest Invest in in March 2020. Coles did not answer.

In Might 2019, Coles charged $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s office environment. She also charged extra than $1,300 that month to Nationwide Enterprise Home furniture. In June 2019, Coles billed $2,652.59 to Cork Floors and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.

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

The credit score card statements show other fees to vendors that might thrust the renovation totals even higher, but without the need of the receipts, which the J&C requested, you will find no way to get a extra exact accounting.

The Indiana Point out Police and the State Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s funds due to the fact Coles grew to become trustee in January 2019.

Tale continues

Coles was running for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic key. She faced levels of competition from Fairfield Township Board members Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.

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

In the past, Coles blamed her superior credit history card shelling out — like normal buys at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not consist of any Sam’s Club buys in the full claimed currently due to the fact there are not indications that the Sam’s Club buys experienced nearly anything to do with renovations.

Expending: Fairfield Township trustee charged $41K on credit card in 2021

In its Sept. 17, 2021, ask for to inspect public documents, The Journal & Courier asked for to examine credit card receipts as very well as credit history card statements.

The Journal & Courier submitted a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to make the requested files. Coles delivered some every month credit history card statements, but there are pages missing and months missing from people statements.

Arrive at Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This short article at first appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette trustee charged $36K to dwelling improvement merchants