A federal grand jury is reportedly continuing its work in New Orleans in cases against Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her former NOPD bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie. Now, questions about how an indictment would impact Cantrell's job as mayor linger.
One analyst says even if she's charged, Cantrell won't suffer any immediate political setbacks.
"I can say without question that I don't think it will affect her one iota," Bernie Pensonat said. "An indictment certainly would be bad, but for her political stature and her ability to get things done in New Orleans, I don't think it has any influence whatsoever."
According to Pinsonat, Cantrell has a strong base of voters, especially Black female voters, that will stick with her through thick and thin. Pinsonat adds that Cantrell's opponents' complaints of poor governance have failed to dissuade those voters from backing Cantrell. Pinsonat says the only way Cantrell loses her political power and base is if she is convicted.
"She's been able to do pretty much what she wants, and she was reelected," Pinsonat said. "An indictment in and of itself without a conviction, I don't think, will have the slightest impact on her political fortunes in New Orleans."
Even though Cantrell is term-limited as mayor, Pinsonat believes Cantrell could still win an election for another office even with an indictment hanging over her.
"It would depend on the election." Pinsonat said. "It would depend on the position. I think if she's running for Congress, I think the Black voters in New Orleans are, obviously, much more willing to forgive her than, say, Republicans. As long as she didn't have a bunch of Republicans that she needed to get her over the finish line, it would be very possible."
