After New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell forbid city employees from taking part in a public forum on the consent decree between the New Orleans Police Department and the U.S. Justice Department, the federal judge overseeing the consent decree is ordering NOPD Interim Superintendent Michelle Woodfork and other officials to appear at a hearing in court.
In addition to Woodfork, U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan is ordering Deputy Superintendent Jonette Williams, New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño, city health department leader Dr. Jennifer Avegno, and New Orleans Family Justice Center Executive Director Mary Claire Landry, NOLA.com reports.
Asked about the order this afternoon, Chief Woodfork said "we received a subpoena and we're going to adhere to the subpoena."
Last week, Cantrell issued a statement saying no city employee would be allowed to speak at a public forum with the consent decree monitors. Judge Morgan ended up canceling that meeting, which was to take place at Loyola University's law school.
"Despite our objections, these public events continue to be held and continue to represent a drain on the time, resources, and ability of the NOPD to perform their job duties," the mayor said in her statement.
