NEW ORLEANS — Mayor Cantrell still has over a year left in office. With a potential indictment looming over the rest of her term, some are wondering if she can effectively govern the city of New Orleans.
“The city is not well run right now, and people know that,” WWL Louisiana Political Analyst Clancy DuBos said.
On Friday, New Orleans Businessman Randy Farrell was indicted on twenty-five federal corruption charges, some of which involve gifts he allegedly gave to Mayor Latoya Cantrell.
In 2019 the indictment claims Farrell bought Cantrell tickets to a Saint’s championship game, a nice lunch at Ruth’s Chris, and a new iPhone.
Days after their lunch at the steakhouse, prosecutors allege the mayor then fired a city official who had been investigating him.
As of Friday, Cantrell hasn’t been charged with a crime, but according to Metropolitan Crime Commission Vice President Michelle Foster, it’s only a matter of time.
“That would be hanging over her any time any time they talk about the city of New Orleans, the Super Bowl, you know the indicted mayor. That’s not a title anyone wants to hear or discuss,” Metropolitan Crime Commission Vice President Michelle Foster said.
If Cantrell gets indicted, what does that mean for the people of New Orleans?
“It would be very damaging for the Mayor and her effectiveness. It would be an embarrassment to the city right before the Super Bowl,” DuBos said.
Until she’s charged, WWL Louisiana Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says everything is up in the air.
“If she cares even a little bit about the city and the people she’s elected to serve, she would take a plea deal and resign,” DuBos said.
Dubos says it would also make it harder to complete her duties as mayor.
“She has no credibility right now, and that really impacts her ability to do things for the city of New Orleans,” DuBos said.
Since Farrell’s indictment, we’ve gotten one line from the city. That’s it. They say they’ll remain silent out of respect for the legal process.
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Video: Team Coverage: New Orleans businessman indicted on federal charges that directly implicate mayor in a criminal conspiracy
