NEW ORLEANS — Grammy-winning trumpeter Irvin Mayfield apologized in court for his actions in diverting more than $1 million from the public library foundation for the benefit of he and business partner Ronald Markham at a sentencing hearing Wednesday. The hearing started at 9:30 a.m. and there was a break at midday for lunch.
The apology and admission from Mayfield came as his lawyer argued for no jail time and railed against WWL-TV Investigator David Hammer and his series of reports on Mayfield's crimes.
"To my city, community, friends, I hope you can accept my apology," said a choked up Mayfield. "I take full responsibility... My dream was wrapped in ego, supported by awards and accolades. Perceived success is temporary. A win without knowing how you win is a superficial win. I allowed my ego to focus on winning by any means necessary.”
When pressed further by Judge Jay Zainey, Mayfield said he did both "a terrible job and a criminal act."
Earlier during Wednesday's sentencing hearing Mayfield and Markham argued that they spent a lot of the transferred money on Jazz Orchestra expenses, including for employees and not themselves, but Judge Zainey quickly struck down that argument.
"These men ripped off the library foundation of $1.3 million," he said, saying that emails showed the theft hurt the public library system.
It was also argued on behalf of Mayfield and Markham that they should get credit for accepting responsibility, but prosecutors replied that the fact that they obstructed justice should negate the fact that they eventually pleaded guilty.
A victim impact statement by former Library Foundation executive director Barbara Waiters detailed how the conduct of the defendants led to the loss in fundraising and the eventual termination of two employees.
Mayfield did have some speak on his behalf, former New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass said he was "devastated" by what his friend did, but he praised his care for his autistic brother.
"Does one mistake define a life of love and life of service?" he asked.
Mayfield's attorney, Claude Kelly, made a final attempt at mitigating a sentence by going after WWL-TV and Investigator David Hammer, saying that Hammer had been "obsessed" with the case and had stirred up emotions.
Kelly was arguing for no jail time at all, trying to convince Judge Zainey that his client had already suffered.
“The punishment began with the first Hammer article. He can regain some after today, but the scars are permanent," he said.
At one point Zainey addressed Mayfield, saying he wasn't holding his attorney's statements against him and saying that Kelly was trying to deflect blame and that Hammer didn't cause the conduct that Mayfield admitted to.