Former New Orleans inspector tied to Mayor Cantrell indicted on 25 charges

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — Mayor Latoya Cantrell appears to be once again in the federal government’s crosshairs. Former city inspector Randy Farrell has been indicted in a case that appears to be heavily connected to her.

According to the indictment, Farrell is accused of bribing “Public Official Number One,” who is believed to be Mayor Cantrell, in order to get her to fire a city employee. Those alleged bribes include saints tickets, an iPhone and a meal at a steakhouse.

“For someone to receive something of value and then for Public Official Number One to therefore do something in her position, that is corruption,” Metropolitan Crime Commission Vice President Michelle Foster said.

According to the indictment, Farrell wanted this employee fired because she had reported an alleged scheme in the department of safety and permits, where Farrell worked at the time.

“Farrell was soliciting and accepting bribes and kickbacks to apply and receive permits in the name of licensed electricians, and caused a submission of fraudulent inspection reports knowing they weren’t performed by licensed electricians,” Foster said.

Now, Farrell is facing 25 federal charges and faces up to 20 years in prison for each, however, WGNO legal analyst Cliff Cardone says a plea deal for Farrell is potentially in play.

“Well I think this is going to provide Mr. Farrell an opportunity to possibly turn some state evidence against the mayor. She is public figure number one, so I presume that’s her. I think he has the opportunity to turn state’s evidence against her,” Cliff Cardone said.

Cardone now believes an indictment against Cantrell may be just a couple of months away.

“She’s in serious jeopardy. The federal prosecutors don’t put those in indictments unless they are serious about indicting public official number one,” Cardone said.

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