Healthy Lunch

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano are implicated in an indictment alleging they accepted valuable tickets, potentially violating state ethics laws, sources say. Neither are accused of a crime in the indictment. “If all of that is true, then yeah, it looks to be a violation of the state ethics code,” said Steven Procopio, president of the government watchdog agency PAR.Prosecutors allege former city inspector Randy Farrell accepted bribes to allow unlicensed electricians to work on hundreds of homes in New Orleans.Prosecutors also allege Farrell wanted a high ranking city employee suspicious of him , terminated.Sources tell WDSU that Farrell collaborated with his business partner, Fouad Zeton.According to the indictment, prosecutors allege in 2019, Farrell bought Mayor Cantrell Saints tickets, lunch at a steakhouse, and a new iPhone.”There’s certainly enough there to look at this and if I’ll say if someone receives tickets from a prohibited source, then that would be a violation of the state ethics law,” Procopio said.According to the indictment, Farrell met with Cantrell at the steakhouse shortly after purchasing the tickets.It’s alleged Farrell then sent Zeton a text saying, “The (expletive) is gone!!!!!” The indictment also alleges Montano asked Zeton for tickets to the 2020 College Football National Championship game at the Superdome.Farrell paid $3,600 for those tickets, according to the indictment. “I think from a citizen standpoint, I think that goes an extra mile in terms of violating at least the spirit of ethical behavior,” said political expert Ed Chervenak. “He is a major player in the Cantrell administration. He’s fit the pattern of taking tickets, something of value. We don’t know if he offered anything in return or not, but it gives the perception something is going on behind closed doors.” Chervenak said if the allegations against them are true, what is alleged is not appropriate, and said public officials should not take anything of value if they want to have public trust. Montano said he’s disappointed his name has been implicated. He says there is no accusation of wrongdoing in the indictment and wants people to think about his integrity and the work he has done to improve the city. Farrell’s attorney issued the following statement regarding the indictment:”Last year Mr. Farrell took responsibility for IRS problems occurring nearly 10 years ago by means of a plea bargain with the Government, unrelated to the present charges. As a part of the plea bargain with the Government, Mr. Farrell met with Federal authorities to answer questions about the City of New Orleans’ Department of Public Safety.Mr. Farrell provided documentation of his payment for a birthday luncheon for the cooperating witness (Businessman #1) and his two nephews at which Public Official #1 was an invited guest of the businessman. The prosecutor now is improperly utilizing this information against Mr. Farewell, alleging it was a bribe. Mr. Farrell did nothing more than complain to city leaders about the dysfunction of the department of Safety and permits, a right he and all citizens have under the First Amendment.Allegations of bribery of Public Officials #1, for a luncheon mean and utilization of Saints tickets are too close to the political system.The Indictment sensationalizes statements, taken out of context, primarily made by the cooperating witness (Businessman #1) who was a fundraiser and supporter of Public Official #1 and, unfortunately, who had access to Mr. Farrell’s credit card.Contrary to allegation in the Indictment, Mr. Farrell is not a public official of the State or the City.Mr. Farrell and IECI deny the allegations in the government’s indictment and look forward to defending themselves in Court.”The City of New Orleans issued the following statement:”Out of respect for the courts and the legal process, the City of New Orleans will reserve comment on this matter until its full conclusion.”New Orleans City Council members also reacted for the first time since the indictment was handed down.New Orleans Council Vice President JP Morrell voiced his concerns over the allegations. “The idea of any city official grabbing anything of value for anyone who does things for the city is illegal,” said Council member JP Morrell.Councilmember Eugene Green said he wasn’t aware of Montano’s claim about tickets always circulating City Hall. Moreno echoed Green’s response. “Saints tickets? No one has ever given me Saints tickets. Also, we have ethics laws in Louisiana, so no, I have not,” said Council President Helena Moreno.WDSU Investigates asked the council if they were aware of other public officials implicated in the scheme, but are not officially named by the federal government in the indictment. No one commented on the identities outlined in the indictment. Sources tell WDSU that there are possibly other city employees who may have benefited from the free tickets.Farrell plans on entering a plea of not guilty.