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For many years New Orleans has needed a hero. The repeated cases of
corruption, incompetence and criminal behavior have been practically
non-stop for too long. The political problems have led to a decrease in
population as citizens and businesses have fled the Crescent City. Tax
revenue has been impacted and the city has become more dependent on
tourism and the service sector industry.
Post-Katrina, the problems only intensified as the Nagin administration has been unwilling or unable to make any substantial progress. In fact, the city has regressed under the “leadership” of Ray Nagin. In contrast to Recovery Director Ed Blakely’s promises of “cranes in the air,” the recovery has been halting at best.
Yet, in the midst of this depressing landscape there is some anticipation of progress. One of the best things to happen in recent years was the establishment of an Inspector General’s office and the hiring of a nationally recognized expert, Robert Cerasoli. He has true credentials as an Inspector General and is an outsider with no political agenda. He offers the long suffering citizens of New Orleans a true ray of hope.
With key support provided by the New Orleans City Council, Cerasoli is working diligently to set up his office, hire key personnel and launch a variety of investigations on a dizzying array of issues. From the administration’s credit card abuse to their crazy vehicle policy, Cerasoli and his colleagues have their hands full to say the least. The latest scandal involves the New Orleans Affordable Homeownership Corporation. In many cases, it seems that contractors were paid for remediation work that was either not completed or performed by a non-profit organization or even by the homeowner. Cerasoli has begun to investigate, adding to his already long list.
To fulfill his important mission, Cerasoli needs support and encouragement. Instead, the Nagin administration has provided nothing but roadblocks. From trying to stop his funding source to providing obstacles to setting up an office, City Hall has been acting like it does not want Cerasoli to investigate wrongdoing. It seems apparent that the administration either wants Cerasoli to fail or that they have something to hide.
The latest example was provided by city attorney Penya Moses Fields, who sent Cerasoli a letter last week telling him, "It would be helpful if, in the future, you would provide a direct communication to my office when you initiate an investigation." What a ludicrous request! The last person Cerasoli should be informing about any city investigation is a member of the Nagin administration.
The Inspector General needs total independence to succeed. Fortunately, Cerasoli rejected the request and told Fields that notification "would be inconsistent with (his) office's role and statutory responsibilities and accordingly, we will not do so." Cerasoli reminded the city attorney that the law setting up his office provides that it will be "operationally independent from the legislative and executive branches of the city, " which precludes his alerting the city attorney about pending investigations. Cerasoli also rejected demands that his office alert the city attorney about media requests and upcoming interviews.
Cerasoli should not have to answer to Mayor Nagin or the city attorney on any issue, which is why his independence is so important. Luckily, he has the support of Councilman-at-large Arnie Fielkow and other city council members. In fact, Fielkow was so concerned about the city attorney’s actions that he called Ms. Fields to appear before a council committee to answer questions.
With Cerasoli, New Orleans city government can finally move away from the corrupt practices of the past and restore some public confidence in City Hall. Right now, that trust is lacking and for good reason. |
