New Orleans’ Democrat Mayor LaToya Cantrell is shamed into repaying $29,000 of taxpayer funds
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LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans’ controversial Democratic mayor, refunded the city nearly $29,000 she had mistakenly used in city money for first class flights after justifying it by saying economy class is unsafe for black women.
The mayor paid for the flights after spending more than $40,000 on a four-day trip to France in June, with her own first-class flight costing nearly $18,000 — but her aides traveled in economy.
“My travel accommodations are a matter of safety, not luxury,” Cantrell, who reportedly earns about $188,000, told a news conference.
A city attorney determined that Cantrell, as a city employee, was required by policy to seek the cheapest rates or reimburse the city for luxury expenses.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has refunded the city nearly $29,000 after it was revealed she used city money to get a first-class flight to France
The mayor paid for the flights after spending more than $40,000 on a four-day trip to France in June, with her own first-class flight costing nearly $18,000
Cantrell also admitted to living rent-free in a city apartment in the city’s French Quarter, which is just five miles from her $500k home.
“As all women know, our health and safety is often ignored and we have to navigate alone,” Cantrell said.
“As the mother of a young child I live for, I’m going to protect myself by all reasonable means to make sure I’m there to watch her grow into the strong woman I’m raising her. Anyone who wants to ask how I protect myself just doesn’t understand the world black women walk in.”
But councilors did not accept these apologies and had threatened to have her wages included in the 2023 budget to get the money back.
“I’m glad we can put this behind us,” said council chair Helena Moreno.
The under-fire mayor was already confused after admitting that he lived in a rent-free apartment in the French Quarter, which is just three miles from her $500K Broadmoor home.
Cantrell’s home in the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans, which she shares with her husband Jason, is valued at over $500K
The city’s Metropolitan Crime Commission showed photos of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell entering and exiting the apartment
It is owned by the city and operated by the French Market Corp., a city-affiliated agency, has a market rate of $2,991 per month.
A spokesman for Cantrell and the city councilor who sits on the FMC board said everything is legal under the city’s terms with FMC.
However, the Metropolitan Crime Commission report included footage of Cantrell going in and out of the apartment over several months, as well as allegations from witnesses who said she regularly stayed overnight in the apartment.
Cantrell is no stranger to property-related controversies.
In 2014, the IRS placed a lien on her Broadmoor home for about $28K in unpaid taxes. Cantrell and her husband, Jason, owed $27,564.99 in taxes, interest, and penalties for 2010, 2011, and 2012.
A spokesperson for Eugene Green, a Democrat on the board of French Market Corp. sitting, said, “Councilman Green is not aware of any rules or procedures that may have been violated.”
FMC records obtained by: WWL TV said no rent was paid on the apartment between September 1, 2021 and July 31, 2022.
It is also alleged that a city employee was used as a de facto building superintendent to solve problems in the apartment.
A spokesperson for Eugene Green, who serves on the board of directors of French Market Corp. sitting, said: ‘Council Member Green is not aware of any rules or procedures that may have been violated’
MCC chairman Rafael Goyeneche called this arrangement inappropriate for the mayor, saying: “That’s a tax-free extra benefit she receives. She doesn’t have to live there or use it. And I think it’s abuse and abuse of her authority. But I’m waiting to see what the council’s position is.’
Goyeneche demands that the municipality investigates.
“The mayor’s use of the city’s apartment on Pontalba is consistent with the use of previous mayors,” said Gregory Joseph, Cantrell’s communications director.
“In the 2013 franchise agreement, there are no rules for using that unit and the FMC believes that the mayor is not required to pay rent for that apartment because she uses it in the same way as previous mayors.”