NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – New Orleans City Council Vice President J.P. Morrell has issued a stern warning to Mayor LaToya Cantrell, urging her to comply with demands to relinquish control of her Upper Pontalba apartment.
In a letter sent to the mayor on Wed., Feb. 28, Morrell says he intends to pursue eviction proceedings if Cantrell fails to meet the ultimatum, clear out her personal belongings, and turn over the keys by Monday.
The latest “Outside the Office” investigation showed recent emails from the apartment’s owner, the French Market Corporation, coordinating with the mayor’s team to send in maids, install new floors, and check smoke detectors and fire alarms. In August, the council voted to permanently remove the apartment from the mayor’s control and place it back into commerce.
“My understanding is that you and members of your executive protection detail possess the only keys to the unit,” the letter reads. “Until the keys are turned over, FMC cannot begin the repairs necessary to release the unit.”
“We have tried for several months to work with members of the administration… But to date, those efforts have proven fruitless. We passed orders months ago. We need to get it back into commerce.”
On Friday (March 1), the mayor made two public appearances; at a New Orleans Police Department graduation and the grand reopening of the Dew Drop Inn. She declined to comment on her use of the apartment, an ongoing federal investigation, or payroll fraud allegations against Jeffrey Vappie, a member of her security team.
“With everything going on, I think it’s important for the mayor to just clear this apartment and clear this issue,” said Dillard University Political Analyst Dr. Robert Collins. “The law is very clear. This is a situation of people ignoring the law. We don’t know if it’s intentional or if it’s just an oversight.”
Morrell’s letter says if the council does not hear back by March 4 at noon, then “I have little choice but to file a motion to bring this matter to resolution, including a directive that the city attorney institute eviction and/or mandamus proceedings.”
As of Friday afternoon, the mayor acknowledged receipt of Morrell’s letter, but it is unknown if she’s turned over the keys.
Morrell says he hopes to avoid public escalation of the issue.
“The council cannot, however, continue to do nothing when the requirements of the law are clear,” the letter concludes.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.
Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.
Copyright 2024 WVUE. All rights reserved.
