Attorney general accuses power abuse in cancellation order of New Orleans sanitation contract

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill released a statement on Tuesday, July 22, on the ongoing situation surrounding sanitation contracts in New Orleans.

Recently, an emergency contract for the city’s trash pickup awarded to Troy Henry Consulting by Mayor LaToya Cantrell has come into question.

Members of the City Council asked whether Troy Henry Consulting was prepared to take over the job that has been done by IV Waste.

“We’re just trying to get a little bit more transparent, a little bit more truth as to why. So much mystery and haziness and murkiness is going on with this contract,” said Councilman Freddie King.

Deputy CAO Joe Threat reportedly told Cantrell on July 9 that IV Waste should continue the job and that Henry Consulting was not ready. Council members are questioning the contract’s legality.

“You have to make sure you’ve got utilities set up. You’ve got office spaces. You might have to change, switch gears, bring power into it. We didn’t have a performance ban in place at that time,” said Threat.

Murrill stated the proposed contract was unauthorized and contrary to state law” and that it is invalid and unenforceable.

She added that IV Waste’s contract must be reinstated.

“The mayor cannot manufacture an ‘emergency.’ I have filed an amicus brief on this matter due to the public’s interest in not having public officials abuse their authority under the disaster powers law. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is blatantly abusing her emergency powers under the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act in order to circumvent the public procurement laws,” said Murrill. 

Murrill adds that sanitation services in the French Quarter and Downtown Development District are essential to public health, tourism and economic well-being of one of Louisiana’s vital areas.

“Disruptions or mismanagement of sanitation services in those areas threaten not only the health and welfare of local residents and visitors, but also the stability of the broader business community that depends on a clean, safe, and welcoming French Quarter,” said Murrill.

Full Amicus Brief

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