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EDITOR’S Take note: This is one of several reports on courtroom-purchased release of Fairfield Township’s credit history card information and what these credit rating card statements expose. Nevertheless, Trustee Taletha Coles did not convert about the receipts for the credit rating credit score card purchases and there are missing statements..

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles chalked up her $113,259 in credit score card charges around three many years to her renovations at the township’s office on Wabash Avenue, but only $36,691.51 can be directly tied to house improvement buys.

A Journal & Courier’s ongoing evaluation of the court docket-requested launch of the township’s credit card statements confirmed that involving January 2019 and July 2021, Coles billed $36,691.51 to nearby house enhancement merchants, as nicely as to Just Blinds, Very best Invest in, and Cork Flooring.

Taletha Coles, Fairfield Township trustee, during a Fairfield Township budget proposal meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 in Lafayette.

Taletha Coles, Fairfield Township trustee, all through a Fairfield Township funds proposal conference, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 in Lafayette.

Nonetheless, there are quite a few months that do not have credit score card statements, and there are statements that are only two webpages. The documents reveal there are numerous lacking internet pages that have been not delivered to the community.

The Journal & Courier emailed Coles for remark about the expending, together with much more than $2,000 of buys at Ideal Invest in in March 2020. Coles did not respond.

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

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

The credit rating card statements reveal other fees to shops that could possibly thrust the renovation totals even bigger, but devoid of the receipts, which the J&C requested, there is no way to get a extra exact accounting.

The Indiana State Police and the Point out Board of Accounts are investigating the township’s funds given that Coles turned trustee in January 2019.

Coles was managing for re-election Tuesday in the Democratic main. She confronted level of competition from Fairfield Township Board members Rocky Hession and Monica Casanova.

Republican Fairfield Township trustee candidate April O’Brien is operating unopposed and will deal with the Democratic primary winner.

In the previous, Coles blamed her superior credit rating card investing — which includes regular buys at the Lafayette Sam’s Club — on the renovations. The Journal & Courier did not incorporate any Sam’s Club buys in the total documented right now because there are not indications that the Sam’s Club buys had anything to do with renovations.

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

In its Sept. 17, 2021, ask for to inspect public files, The Journal & Courier requested to examine credit card receipts as nicely as credit history card statements.

The Journal & Courier filed a lawsuit on March 17, 2022, for Coles to make the asked for documents. Coles provided some regular monthly credit history card statements, but there are pages missing and months missing from those people statements.

Achieve Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Comply with on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

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

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