Who would call a man who faces up to 5 years in prison for stealing $1.3 million from the New Orleans Public Library Foundation a “true son of the city?”
At a recent concert featuring famed trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said from the stage, “Let’s continue to support one another. And more importantly, let’s continue to support a true son of the city of New Orleans, Irvin Mayfield.”
Mayor Cantrell is asking the citizens of New Orleans to continue to support the man who, with his musical partner, Ronald Markham, siphoned $1.3 million from the city’s public library charity. This is outrageous, and Cantrell should be held accountable for her words.
Mayor Cantrell must have thought that praising Mayfield as a “true son” of the city in front of an audience at his concert was safe; but she is exposed as an opportunist, pandering to his fans and many of her core supporters. Did she not even consider that her comments would not be repeated?
Cantrell was not alone in her support of Mayfield. Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman also expressed his strong support of the disgraced musician.
How can this go unchecked?
Irvin Mayfield and Ronald Markham face up to 5 years in prison, though since this is a first offense for both, they will probably not serve the maximum sentence. What Mayfield and Markham did makes Cantrell's comment obnoxiously outrageous.
Under New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, funding to the library foundation, of which Mayfield and Markham had full control as board members, received grants from a trust fund that was controlled by the city. But when Mayor Mitch Landrieu took over City Hall, the flow of money to the library foundation stopped.
When the money stopped coming in in 2011, Mayfield and Markham began stealing money to supplement their $100,000 a year salaries. Mayfield also used the stolen funds to buy a gold-plated trumpet and to pay for expensive hotel suites when Mayfield’s band, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Mayfield and Markham pleaded guilty in a plea deal in exchange of prosecutors dropping an additional 23 counts against them. And in the aftermath of that self-centered and greedy behavior, our mayor calls Mayfield a “true son” of the city and asks us to continue to support him?
Mayor Cantrell’s support of Mayfield is a moment that defines her character.
Where’s the $1.3 million he stole? If he paid it back - great. But if he did not pay it back, then he will essentially be paid $1.3 million to serve a little time in prison and have everything waiting for him to be released. Is that fair?
Any politician who brazenly calls a man who stole over $1 million from the city’s library foundation a “true son” of this city is demonstrating that political pandering is more important than protecting the citizens that elected her.
Irvin Mayfield is not a “true son” of New Orleans and does not deserve our continued support. Period!