Civil district judge dismisses New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s restraining order case

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) –– New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s temporary restraining order against Anne Breaud was dismissed by an Orleans Civil District judge Tuesday morning.

Cantrell’s petition claimed that Breaud took photos of her and her security guard, Jeffrey Vappie, having lunch at Tableau . Cantrell claimed Breaud’s actions were aggressive and placed her and her family at greater risk of being harmed, jeopardizing her safety, especially at places she frequents.

The photos show Cantrell and Vappie on the restaurant balcony with what appear to be wine glasses.

Breaud, who lives near the restaurant, said she took two photos and sent them to the Metropolitan Crime Commission.

“This was never about me stalking the mayor or chasing the mayor. She’s been my neighbor for quite some time. This was about an officer of the law doing something I thought he shouldn’t be doing,” said Breaud.

Her attorney, Justin Schmidt, argued that photographing a public official in public fell within her rights under free speech. But Cantrell’s attorney, Edward Castaing, disagreed, arguing that Louisiana’s free speech laws only cover verbal statements.

Schmidt repeatedly argued that this case was a textbook example of a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suit, a lawsuit filed to stop their critics from creating negative publicity.

Civil District Judge Bernadette D’Souza ruled Cantrell’s petition moot, dissolving the temporary restraining order.

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