Kenner official sues council, alleges closed public meeting over aviation board

KENNER, La. (WVUE) - The City of Kenner’s deputy chief administrative officer and her husband have filed a lawsuit accusing the Kenner City Council of violating an open meetings law in August.

Natalie and Richard Newton filed the lawsuit as private citizens this week, months after Kenner City Council members wrote a letter to New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno regarding the potential appointment of a new Kenner representative on the New Orleans Aviation Board. The board oversees the administration and strategic development of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

In the lawsuit, filed in the state’s 24th Judicial District Court in Jefferson Parish, the Newtons allege that council members sending the letter to Moreno was “not lawful,” because it was crafted and sent outside of a public meeting and “without public notice, comment or a recorded public vote.”

The Newtons also requested a $500 civil penalty for each of the four council members who sent the letter.

“This lawsuit is about ensuring that elected officials follow the same laws they are entrusted to uphold,” the Newtons’ attorney Joe Rochelle said in a statement Wednesday. “When elected officials circumvent the public process, citizens have every right to hold them accountable and demand transparency.”

But Kenner council members Joey LaHatte and Danny Riehm said in interviews Tuesday and Wednesday that they had already voted publicly and were simply making Moreno aware of their choice.

“The letter was basically like me voting at the meeting ... and then putting on Facebook, ‘Hey, this is how we voted today!’” LaHatte said.

LaHatte said he first learned of the lawsuit early Tuesday.

“It’s just absolutely shocking, in particular the fact that it’s the deputy chief administrative officer for the mayor’s office,” LaHatte said.

Riehm called the filing an “absurdity,” saying he believes the mayor’s office doesn’t understand an airport expansion agreement from 1985, which he and LaHatte say they followed exactly.

“It’s a total joke,” Riehm said of the lawsuit, calling it “frivolous.”

The Newtons’ suit named LaHatte and Riehm, as well as Kenner council members Joe Stagni and Thomas Willmott, as defendants. It also named the City of New Orleans, the New Orleans Aviation Board and attorney Barry Ranshi, the Kenner City Council’s preferred appointment to the aviation board.

The suit comes after Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill wrote in response to a complaint about the matter that the letter council members sent to Moreno after appointing Ranshi “was not the product of deliberation or action taken at a meeting open to the public.”

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Both Riehm and LaHatte said they believe the AG’s opinion was issued without all proper information provided.

In June, the Kenner City Council recommended Justice of the Peace Kevin Centanni, former city Chief Administrative Officer Michael Quigley and former Kenner Police Chief Steve Caraway for the board, candidates that were approved by Kenner mayor Michael Glaser.

In August, the four council members named in the lawsuit adopted another resolution, replacing Caraway with Ranshi. That was when they sent their choice to Moreno. The lawsuit alleges Moreno didn’t protest, and Ranshi was appointed with approval by the New Orleans City Council, although the filing states Glaser vetoed that choice.

Riehm said any veto would be invalid, since the rules of the appointment follow the airport expansion agreement, not the city charter.

Lehatte called the lawsuit “a complete lack of institutional control” on Glaser’s part, given that it was filed by one of his top aides.

“I do not understand how you can work with someone who does something like that ... and expect the council to get along with that kind of person,” LaHatte said.

Riehm said it has been important for Kenner to have a representative on the aviation board, citing poor airport drainage and flooding concerns in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine. Riehm added he fears the lawsuit and ensuing conflict might affect those wanting to serve on Kenner boards in the future, given that it’s a volunteer position.

Stagni declined comment, citing pending litigation. Willmott, Glaser’s office, Moreno’s office and Ranshi didn’t immediately provide comment.

The lawsuit also seeks attorney’s fees and court costs from the defendants if the Newtons prevail.

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