New Orleans reimbursed Mayor Cantrell for Washington D.C. trip despite claims the city would not be charged

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – New Orleans taxpayers paid Mayor LaToya Cantrell at least $630.77 for meals and Uber rides during her March trip to Washington D.C., after her office claimed the city would not be charged for the trip.

Fox 8 obtained travel records showing Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño signed off on the reimbursement, which specified $414 in meal per diems and $216.77 for the Uber rides.

City records show Cantrell traveled to D.C. from March 9-13 for the Yale Mayor’s College Conference.

The conference ran from March 10-11.

The trip came during a now-paused ban on city-funded travel to conferences.

On March 10, Cantrell’s administration released a statement reading in part:

“..the City of New Orleans will not incur a cost for the Mayor’s participation and attendance at the Yale conference.”

At a March 19 news conference, Fox 8 if there asked Cantrell’s Communications Director Terry Davis if there will be reimbursements for the trip.

“No there will not. There will not be, we have said that Chris. We said that in a statement that from the Mayor there will not be any expense incurred,” he said.

The trip came during a legal battle with the Orleans Parish School District over a $90 million settlement funding deal.

Cantrell backed out of the deal in early 2025. Her administration argued, in part, the city could not afford the deal.

The reversal triggered a public protest and the city council passing the travel ban.

Council President JP Morrell has been an outspoken critic of Cantrell on the issue, stating in a Facebook video:

“If the mayor is going to continue to argue that we are broke, we have no money, we can’t afford to do things like pay the schools the money they’re owed, to pay for security for our children and our teachers, why is she hanging out in luxury hotel accommodations.”

Dillard University Political Analyst Dr. Robert Collins said Cantrell likely won’t face any repercussions.

“The mayor is at the end of her term, she’s a lame duck, she’s only got a few more months in office. So I think she’s taken the position, that basically at this point she’s untouchable. She can do what she wants. She doesn’t have to run for re-election,” he said.

City records show the Yale School of Management reimbursed the city for Cantrell’s flight and $696.17 for her stay at the Hotel Washington.

City records show the hotel charged her an additional $1,512.80, but it’s unclear what entity paid. The Mayor’s communications team has not responded to a request for clarification on that payment.

Fox 8 obtained records showing the conference offered Cantrell a complimentary two-night stay at the Yotel in Washington D.C.

The itinerary shows Cantrell booked the Hotel Washington at $519/night for four nights.

Cantrell posted photos of her trip and meetings with Louisiana delegation leaders on Facebook on March 12.

The city’s travel records show she received a per diem each day of the trip, including the days after the conference.

Collins said meeting with Congressional leaders could be an argument for visiting Washington D.C..

“That argument can be made. Now whether or not that trip needs to be two days, three days, five days, I think that’s the issue,” he said.

Cantrell’s press team declined to comment, stating: “The requested information is not available at this time.”

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