New Orleans Inspector General Ed Michel is weighing in on the controversy surrounding Mayor LaToya Cantrell's use of the city-owned Pontalba apartment in the French Quarter.
In his letter to the New Orleans City Council, the OIG states, "In light of recent events regarding possible overnight stays at the mayor's apartment, the OIG requests the city council reexamine an ordinance passed in April."
In April, the council passed an ordinance that prohibited overnight stays in the apartment. But the ordinance does not define "overnight."
The OIG says the ordinance does not ensure the city receives fair-market value for use of the apartment, and urges the council to relinquish the apartment so the French Market Corporation can put it up for lease among the general public.
Council president J.P. Morrell says he will ask the council to amend its ordinance governing the use of the apartment.
