A New Orleans judge today hears arguments between the mayor and the city council about the council's subpoenas in the Smart Cities investigation.
The council wants to ask questions of some of the mayor's top aides about the information technology program amid concerns of possible bid-rigging. The mayor's office wants to shut the questioning down.
Political analyst Clancy DuBos says it's the latest in the tension between Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the city council.
"I think the mayor feels somewhat disrespected, but frankly, that's not a good legal grounds for ignoring a subpoena," DuBos said. "The judge is not going to care if the mayor's feelings got hurt or if she feels disrespected. That's irrelevant, The only thing's that's relevant is, is the subpoena lawful, and is it reasonable?"
The mayor argues the council's subpoena is overly broad. DuBos says the city charter gives the council the power to issue subpoenas, but there are limits.
"The council has broad authority to investigate and issue subpoenas," he said, "but that doesn't mean it can just issue a blanket subpoena saying bring me all your records."
DuBos says if the judge agrees with the mayor, the council could easily recalibrate its subpoenas and issue them again.
"The mayor's office will have to respond because the council has very broad authority to conduct investigations and to issue subpoenas," he said.
