The Board of Ethics has charged New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell for violating Louisiana ethics law by improperly taking 15 first-class flights over two years.
The trips - 13 domestic and two international flights - drew immense scrutiny after The Times-Picayune found Cantrell spent nearly $29,000 in taxpayer money to fly first class, despite city policy requiring public officials to cover the difference between coach and an upgrade.
After weeks of controversy, Cantrell reimbursed the city $28,856 about a year ago.
The Ethics Board charged Cantrell under a state law that bars public officials from receiving anything of value for the “performance of the duties and responsibilities” in office. The case will likely go before the Ethics Adjudicatory Board, which could censure or fine Cantrell up to $10,000.
"We believe both the mayor and the administration have appropriately addressed the travel issue and will respond to the ethics complaint in due course," said Cantrell's spokesperson John Lawson.
Cantrell is currently in Kenya for a United Nations meeting to discuss plastic pollution. (NOLA.com 11/09/23) LaToya Cantrell hit with ethics charges over flights | Local Politics | nola.com
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