New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been in the center of controversy after controversy. 

Recently, the public official was questioned about her $30,000 first-class flights to France and Switzerland. According to her, the flights were a necessary expense, due to security issues faced by black women. It might be good to point out that her staff members were sitting in economy class seats.

The mayor is a city employee. The city’s travel policy states, “Employees are required to purchase the lowest airfare available…Employees who choose an upgrade from coach, economy, or business class flights are solely responsible for the difference in cost.”

Cantrell now faces another issue. She has been living without paying rent in a city-owned luxury apartment in the Jackson Square section. 

The apartment’s rent should be $3,000 per month.

Her $500,000 home in Broadmoor is located a mere three miles away.

The 50-year-old mayor defended what she did. She also believes that it is her right to live in the apartment and not pay for it.

The apartment is managed by French Market Corp. (FMC), a city-affiliated agency. According to a spokesperson of a council member who sits on the board of FMC, Cantrell has been living in the apartment according to the agency’s terms and that no violations have been committed. 

Despite the statement from FMC, the Metropolitan Crime Commission has requested an investigation into the mayor. According to the rules, the apartment should only be used for work purposes. Witnesses say she has been staying overnight regularly at the apartment. Cantrell allegedly installed privacy screens, received packages in the residence, appointed one of the city employees to be the apartment’s superintendent, and even requested one of her employees to run her errands.

Deputy Director of Programs for the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, Bryon Cornelison, shared that Cantrell sent him an email regarding the broken shower, saying that, “Tomorrow between 12:30 – 2:30 is good with me Bryon. You or security would need to be present.”

The mayor counters allegations against her, saying, “One thing is clear: I do my job. And I will continue to do it with distinction, with dignity, and integrity every step of the way.”