Louisiana AG Warns New Orleans Leaders Over Clerk Election Dispute

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill on Wednesday warned eight New Orleans officials that she could seek their removal from office if they do not retract support for holding an election for a newly merged court clerk position. The warning targets Mayor Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams, five City Council members and interim clerk appointee Calvin Johnson. The dispute centers on how the city should implement the consolidation of its civil and criminal court clerk offices.

Murrill argued that the City Council’s vote to call an election violates state law and improperly encroaches on the authority of Chelsey Napoleon, the former Civil District Court Clerk. She said state legislation merged the criminal clerk’s duties under the civil clerk’s office, making Napoleon the rightful holder of the combined position.

In her letter, Murrill urged the officials to “officially retract” their support for the election and to stop actions that recognize the new office or Johnson’s appointment. She said those steps would be needed to avoid further litigation and potential statutory consequences.

The attorney general also warned that Johnson could face legal jeopardy, including possible imprisonment, even while describing him as an “innocent bystander.” The letter’s language sharpened an already contentious legal and political standoff between state and local leaders.

City Council vote and the merged clerk’s office

The City Council recently voted to hold an election for the combined clerk’s office following the merger of the two court clerk roles. Murrill contends that the election is not authorized under the legislation that reorganized the offices and that the consolidation instead placed the criminal clerk’s functions under the civil clerk’s structure.

Under that interpretation, Murrill said, Napoleon’s existing elected position should carry over into the newly configured office. She characterized the council’s decision as an attempt to “usurp” that office.

Escalating state-local conflict and next legal steps

Murrill’s threat of removal from office raises the stakes for city officials who have backed the election and for Johnson, who was named as an interim appointee. The letter suggests the state could pursue enforcement actions if the officials do not reverse course.

The confrontation is expected to continue as the parties contest who has the authority to set the path for the merged clerk’s office and whether an election can proceed under state law.