The New Orleans City Council is preparing to take the rare action of removing a member of the mayor's staff, and is asking Mayor LaToya Cantrell to take remedial action before the council does.
It involves the mayor's communications director, Gregory Joseph, and his involvement in a campaign-style mailer sent to New Orleans residents amid the recall campaign last year. Council president J.P. Morrell says their investigation finds that Joseph broke state law and acted to mislead the city in having the mailers printed and distributed.
The council president also said their investigation found no indication that either Mayor Cantrell or Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño had knowledge of the extent of Joseph's activities.
"Based on the evidence and the testimony received pursuant to the Council's investigation, it is my belief that Mr. Gregory Joseph engaged in numerous violations of state law and City policy," Morrell said in a letter to Mayor Cantrell.
Morrell said Joseph deliberately went around city procurement rules to avoid getting public bids on the flyers. Morrell said the flyers also broke state laws against using public money for political advocacy.
"His actions, independently and collectively, constitute grounds for removal under Section 3-125 of the Home Rule Charter," Morrell said. "I urge you to take appropriate remedial action so that the Council does not have to undertake the unfortunate and regrettable steps necessary to compel his removal."
The council has scheduled a special meeting to "consider charges and begin the process of removing Mr. Gregory Joseph from his unclassified position" for Tuesday, September 12, following the joint Climate Change & Sustainability and Economic Development committee meetings at 10 a.m.
Click here to read Council President Morrell's letter to Mayor Cantrell.