Woman’s lawsuit claims New Orleans mayor violated her civil rights amid stalking allegation
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The woman who New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell accused of stalking her has now filed lawsuit claiming her civil rights were violated by the mayor.
Documents were released on Friday, July 26 that detailed the lawsuit filed by Anne Breaud.
The initial actions stem from an April 7 incident when Breaud was at her Upper Pontalba home and find Cantrell and Jeffery Vappie on the balcony of a nearby restaurant “enjoying a meal and bottle of wine.”
Bond denied for man accused of attacking mother with chainsaw in Gentilly
The lawsuit states that Breaud knew Vappie was a member of Cantrell’s security team and deemed their actions inappropriate and took two photos.
Upon release of the photos, on May 10, Cantrell filed a Petition for Protection from Stalking or Sexual Assault with the Civil District Court of the Parish of Orleans. The lawsuit, Breaud claimed, was filled with false and unsubstantiated accusations of stalking and harassing.
Within an hour of its filing, the temporary restraining order was granted, keeping Breaud from engaging in basic activities or visiting New Orleans establishments where Cantrell may be present.
On July 16, NOPD officers, retired Jeffery Vappie and Victor Gant were accused of leaking Breaud’s information to Cantrell.
Vappie was recently indicted on Friday, July 19 on seven counts of wire fraud, along with perpetrating a scheme to defraud the New Orleans Police Department and making false statements to agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The counts stem from his appointment to the HANO board when he allegedly violated NOPD policy by billing the city for police work while sitting in board meetings.
Casket of civil rights pioneer Tessie Prevost-Williams to be escorted by U.S. Marshals
Breaud’s lawsuit claims that Cantrell and a team of individuals including law enforcement officers and city workers, violated federal and state law to obtain her personal information including her address, birthday, social security number and license photo.
Read the full lawsuit:
Additionally, she claims the group found a criminal history on her that included a 2016 arrest in Assumption Parish for a domestic violence incident.
On June 18, a contradictory hearing was held, granting Breaud’s Special Motion to Strike but was unsuccessful due to Cantrell’s actions.
Those involved in the lawsuit include Cantrell, The City of New Orleans, The New Orleans Police Department, Chief of Staff Clifton Davis, Leslie Guzman, Ryan St. Martin and 5 individuals identified as “The Does” who are accused of gathering the information for Cantrell.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
Latest Posts
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Solve the daily Crossword
