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

EDITOR’S Note: This is just one of several experiences on courtroom-purchased release of Fairfield Township’s credit score card data and what these credit rating card statements expose. However, Trustee Taletha Coles did not turn above the receipts for the credit history credit score card purchases and there are missing statements..

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit history card costs over three years to her renovations at the township’s business on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be specifically tied to dwelling improvement purchases.

A Journal & Courier’s ongoing assessment of the courtroom-ordered launch of the township’s credit rating card statements showed that between January 2019 and July 2021, Coles billed $36,691.51 to nearby dwelling improvement shops, as effectively as to Just Blinds, Finest Obtain, and Cork Floors.

Nonetheless, there are several months that do not have credit score card statements, and there are statements that are only two internet pages. The files point out there are a number of missing internet pages that were being not provided to the general public.

The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for comment about the spending, which include extra than $2,000 of buys at Greatest Purchase in March 2020. Coles did not respond.

In May 2019, Coles billed $984 to Just Blinds, presumably for the township’s business. She also billed a lot more than $1,300 that thirty day period to Nationwide Small business Furniture. In June 2019, Coles billed $2,652.59 to Cork Flooring and $700 to Kirklands in Lafayette.

Far more on Taletha Coles: Fairfield Township taxpayers funding trustee’s meditation, massages, on the web understanding

The credit rating card statements indicate other charges to shops that may push the renovation totals even bigger, but without having the receipts, which the J&C requested, you will find no way to get a far more accurate accounting.

The Indiana Condition Law enforcement and the Condition Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s finances considering the fact that Coles grew to become trustee in January 2019.

Tale continues

Coles was operating for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic primary. She confronted competitors from Fairfield Township Board users Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.

Republican Fairfield Township trustee applicant April O’Brien is running unopposed and will facial area the Democratic principal winner.

In the past, Coles blamed her substantial credit card paying out — like normal buys at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not include any Sam’s Club purchases in the full claimed now because there are not indications that the Sam’s Club buys had anything to do with renovations.

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

In its Sept. 17, 2021, ask for to inspect community paperwork, The Journal & Courier asked for to examine credit card receipts as properly as credit score card statements.

The Journal & Courier submitted a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to deliver the requested documents. Coles furnished some month to month credit score card statements, but there are web pages missing and months lacking from those people statements.

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

This short article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette trustee charged $36K to property improvement outlets