The usually gregarious Mayor LaToya Cantrell – who can often be found at a second line parade or dancing at a local nightclub – has become nearly invisible ever since word began circulating about the federal indictment of Jeffrey Vappie, Jr., her former personal executive security officer, as well as her own possible indictment for bribery.
Vappie of course was charged with billing the city while he and Cantrell spent hours in the mayor’s Pontalba Apartment or at one of the French Quarter’s fine dining establishments. Cantrell has not been indicted in this case but could be named an unindicted co-conspirator.
As each week rolls by, prognosticators continue to bet whether Cantrell’s indictment will be announced. A deadline for the indictment could be approaching because of the dates of some of the alleged crimes. According to numerous news reports, Cantrell is thought to have received cash and other items of value including NFL tickets, a smart phone and meals from contractor Randy Farrell, a convicted felon still on federal probation from a previous criminal matter. Farrell earns millions annually for inspections his firm IECI conducts annually on behalf of the city’s Department of Safety & Permits. If Cantrell is indicted, Farrell and Fouad Zeton, an associate of Farrell’s who was recently convicted in another case, could testify against her.
Among the last public appearances placed on Cantrell’s schedule before the announcement of Vappie’s July 19th indictment was the public city budget meetings. The hearings were scheduled for July 22nd and 23rd for the citizens to comment in advance of the annual budget hearings before the City Council.
Coincidentally, the esteemed public relations professional William “Bill” Rouselle Jr. of Bright Moments fame passed away on Sunday, July 21st. Rouselle was a long-time trusted friend and influential consultant in Cantrell’s administration. Some believe that Cantrell used Rouselle’s death as an excuse to postpone the public budget hearings which she was scheduled to attend. Although more than a week has passed, the hearings have not been rescheduled.
Now Rouselle’s memorial service is set for Saturday, August 3rd which would have been his 78th birthday. The service will take place at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans East. Since Rouselle was such a dear friend, will Cantrell emerge from her self-imposed hiding to pay her respects? Of course, Cantrell could always feign illness or schedule a last-minute out of town trip. Either of those tactics would be in poor taste considering her action to cancel the budget hearings due to her professional relationship with her colleague. While Cantrell should attend the memorial, don’t expect her to make any public statements – other than about Rouselle.
If the fear of a possible indictment isn’t enough to make anyone want to hide, the new $1 million civil rights lawsuit from Anne Breaud may be the icing on the cake. Breaud sued Cantrell, her Chief of Staff Clifton Davis, the City of New Orleans, the NOPD and several NOPD officers for allegedly releasing Breaud’s personal information as part of a petition Cantrell filed against Breaud for stalking. Cantrell’s petition was later dismissed but not before Breaud suffered – according to Breaud’s petition which was filed last week.
The one major public appearance Cantrell has made in the last 10 days was to address a voter rally held by former Mayor Marc Morial during the Urban League convention. Cantrell’s remarks were brief and to the point about the importance of voting.
Cantrell’s communications staff is led by two highly seasoned and strategic professionals, Terry Davis and Leatrice Dupre. They have put a lid on all unnecessary communication with the media. It has been strongly suggested to more than a few unclassified employees – who serve at the pleasure of the mayor – to keep their mouths shut unless permission to speak to the press is granted in advance.
How long will Cantrell continue to avoid the media? Don’t expect a press conference anytime soon. Vappie’s arraignment is set for August 7. Cantrell is said to be attending the ribbon cutting for a DePaul Community Health Center in Algiers on Friday, August 9th . Her possible indictment could come any Friday or perhaps not at all.
It might take a rapidly escalating hurricane to bring Cantrell back to the podium or maybe the 19th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. After all, there’s something about the national publicity revolving around a destructive storm that makes every mayor – even one who has been dodging the local press – grab the mic.
