NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A federal bribery scheme indictment that implicates New Orleans’ top two administration officials has raised concerns about the city’s reputation and how it could impact economic development efforts.
Neither Mayor LaToya Cantrell nor Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano have been charged with crimes. But each was referenced in the 25-count indictment unsealed last Friday (Sept. 27) against 61-year-old Randy Farrell of Metairie, a licensing inspector accused of conspiring to offer bribes to city officials to dissuade an investigation of illicit permitting activity.
Political observers say the fact that they are referenced in the Farrell indictment erodes public trust and the city government’s reputation…