New Orleans Mayor Hit With Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit By Woman She Accused Of Stalking

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, shown at the Essence Festival in July, says critics don't understand the world Black women live in. Paras Griffin/Getty Images/FILE

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is confronting a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Anne Breaud, a woman she previously accused of stalking.

The lawsuit, which adds to the embattled mayor’s legal challenges, stems from an incident where Breaud photographed Cantrell and her former bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, on the balcony of the Tableau restaurant.

According to WWLTV, Breaud’s lawsuit names Cantrell, her chief of staff Clifton Davis, and three police officers — Leslie Guzman, Victor Gant, and Ryan St. Martin — who were involved in taking Cantrell’s police report.

The report was used by Cantrell to allege that Breaud was stalking and harassing her.

Breaud claims in her lawsuit that Cantrell defamed her and included false information in a protective order taken out against her.

Although the protective order was eventually dismissed, sensitive information about Breaud, such as her Social Security number, an old driver’s license photo, and an expunged arrest record, was made public before the order was denied.

Breaud’s lawsuit contends that her civil rights were violated through this defamation and the dissemination of private information. The legal action underscores the gravity of privacy breaches and the implications of using law enforcement resources for personal disputes.

Mayor Cantrell, who has been under scrutiny for various controversies during her tenure, now faces this significant legal challenge that questions the integrity of her actions and their impact on individual civil rights.

The case highlights the critical balance between public officials’ authority and the protection of private citizens’ rights, especially regarding allegations and the handling of sensitive information.

As the lawsuit proceeds, it will be closely watched for its implications on civil rights protections and the accountability of public officials in similar circumstances.