CORRECTION: In the video above, Susan Guidry is identified as a former council member. This is incorrect. Guidry is a current City Council member.
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans Ethics Review Board went into an executive session Wednesday morning to interview candidates for the next Inspector General.
Former Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux stepped down in October after a report written by Assistant Inspector General Howard Schwartz was leaked. The report attacked Quatrevaux.
Before the review board went into a closed door meeting, a few people spoke out in the public meeting in support of Schwartz, who is one of the candidates for the job.
Things took a turn when City Councilwoman Susan Guidry took the podium.
“This is not just about qualifications. This is about a cloud that has come over the IG’s office and it needs to be cleared,” said Guidry.
Guidry was speaking about the report written by Schwartz attacking Quatrevaux.
Guidry also said she was concerned about the validity of the report and the infighting in the Inspector General’s office. She urged that the public be able to question all four of the candidates. Their cover letters and resumes have been posted publicly.
Attorney Elizabeth Livingston de Calderón agreed with Guidry and filed a motion that the council discuss the candidates in the executive session, as originally planned, but also have each candidate give a public presentation, then answer questions from the public. That motion was passed unanimously.
They’re hoping the candidates can do the presentations on December 20th during their next meeting. But that date is to be determined, considering the date’s close proximity and the holidays. Also, the candidates were not aware of this added element in the interview process.
It’s unclear when a final decision will come down, but the chair of the Ethics Review Board said he is aiming to get it done going into 2018.