(NEW ORLEANS, LA) - New Orleans City Councilmembers released the below statements following the Civil Service Commission’s reinstatement of Former Clerk of Council Lora Johnson after she was originally terminated due to sexual harassment allegations. 

The Civil Service Commission has issued a decision in which it finds that the City Council proved that Ms. Johnson engaged in inappropriate behavior with her employees. Despite this finding, however, the Commission reinstated Ms. Johnson with no discipline and ordered that she receive nearly one year in back pay. 

The Commission justified its order on the grounds that the Council failed to demonstrate that the inappropriate behavior by the person charged with managing the Clerk’s office—including the hiring and firing of employees targeted by the inappropriate conduct— “impaired the efficient operation” of the Clerk of Council’s Office.

“This ruling sets a dangerous and callous precedent,” said Council President JP Morrell. “By the Civil Service Commission’s logic, sexual harassment in the workplace is acceptable, so long as the harassment doesn’t affect the overall work product. Worse, the Commission needlessly elected to print the full names of the accusers in its decision, re-victimizing those most harmed by the inappropriate behavior. This decision will have a chilling effect on every victim who is considering whether to report workplace abuse. The City of New Orleans cannot claim to care about sexual assault survivors while continuing to gloss over serious allegations in the name of efficiency. The City Council intends on appealing this matter to the fullest effect.”

“Since passing the City’s first and long past due sexual harassment policy in 2018 - as well as similar measures in Baton Rouge while serving as a state representative - I have been unwavering in my commitment to ensuring a safe and comfortable working environment for all City and contracted employees,” said City Council Vice President Helena Moreno. “I am extremely alarmed by the decision rendered by the Civil Service Commission and the direct impact it will have upon the execution of duties by the Clerk’s Office, its dedicated employees, and any City employee contemplating a report of sexual harassment in the future. Sexual harassment not only hurts the victim, but further jeopardizes our ability to provide a respectful workplace that encourages employee morale, productivity, and job satisfaction where individuals can feel valued and protected.”

In May 2024, Lora Johnson was terminated from her position as the Clerk of the New Orleans City Council due to significant allegations of sexual harassment and creating a hostile workplace, including: multiple alleged instances of inappropriate touching, demeaning language, and intimidation. 

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Contact:

Monet Brignac 

Councilmember Jean-Paul Morrell 

504.975.2897

monet.brignac-sullivan@nola.gov