New Orleans, LA — City lawyers have requested that a civil rights lawsuit against Mayor LaToya Cantrell be put on hold due to an extensive federal investigation involving her actions during her time in office. The lawsuit, initiated by French Quarter resident Anne Breaud, alleges civil rights violations linked closely to the ongoing probe by U.S. Attorney Duane Evans.
Breaud claims her rights were infringed upon following her actions on April 7, when she photographed Cantrell and Jeffrey Vappie, a police officer then part of the mayor’s security detail, from her apartment balcony. These photos, which were reportedly sent to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, seemed to show the mayor and Vappie socially together, which they have both denied. The commission has filed multiple complaints against Vappie, focusing on allegations of fraudulent timesheets and inappropriate conduct.
Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses city officials, including Cantrell’s chief of staff and several police officers, of unlawfully scrutinizing Breaud’s personal information. This, Breaud’s suit claims, was an attempt to discredit her by digging into private government databases for damaging information.
In a reaction to these photographs being circulated and subsequent allegations, Cantrell sought a temporary restraining order against Breaud, portraying her as a “dangerous stalker.” However, this was dismissed by Civil District Judge Bernadette D’Souza, who also ordered the mayor to compensate Breaud for her legal expenses.
The city’s motion to stay proceedings points out that the case complexities are intensified by ongoing internal investigations into three members of the New Orleans Police Department, also named in the lawsuit. These officers are implicated in accessing and leaking sensitive information about Breaud. Additionally, the city emphasized the delicate position Cantrell finds herself in, caught between defending herself in the lawsuit and preserving her rights under the Fifth Amendment amidst the federal inquiry.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation. However, Breaud’s attorney, Justin Schmidt, argues that there is insufficient connection between the mayor’s federal case and the civil lawsuit to justify a delay.
Schmidt’s stance emphasizes the urgency of addressing the alleged violations of Breaud’s civil liberties without entanglement in concurrent federal investigations. Meanwhile, officer Vappie is slated for trial in July 2025 before U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter, facing charges tied to the alleged concealment of a relationship with Cantrell and misuse of city funds.
As both the federal and civil cases unfold, the implications for local governance and public trust in New Orleans are profound, spotlighting the intricate balance of personal rights and public accountability in the city’s administration. This case continues to attract attention, considering the potential ramifications on the political landscape of New Orleans.