'A very Louisiana story:' apparent state law violation by city election chief may have helped him

[TexasTowelie]

‘A very Louisiana story:’ apparent state law violation by city election chief may have helped him avoid more serious crime


It appears that New Orleans’ top election official, Clerk of Criminal Court Arthur Morrell, violated the Louisiana Election Code by disclosing the names and addresses of local election commissioners in response to a public records request.

However, it appears that violation helped Morrell steer clear of a much more serious crime — using government resources to support a political election campaign. That can carry criminal penalties, including imprisonment.

The potential violations stem from Morrell’s decision to send endorsement letters to the election commissioners that operate the city’s polling places, urging them to vote for Darren Lombard to replace him as clerk. Lombard went on to win the election earlier this month and will succeed Morrell in May.

The letters, first exposed by The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, were immediately criticized by some of the poll workers who received them, as well as Lombard’s opponent, Austin Badon, who called the campaign an “egregious misuse of power.”

Read more: https://thelensnola.org/2021/12/22/a-very-louisiana-story-apparent-state-law-violation-by-city-election-chief-may-have-helped-him-avoid-more-serious-crime/