By: Aubry Killion | wdsu.com | January 21, 2025
NEW ORLEANS — The city of New Orleans has started a new chapter with Mayor Helena Moreno.
WDSU Investigates dug into what benefits former Mayor LaToya Cantrell has now that she’s a private citizen.
NOPD says all executive protection security for former Mayor Cantrell was terminated on Monday, January 12, 2026, following the inauguration of Mayor Moreno.
Since leaving office, a folder from the United States House of Representatives sat on former Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s doorstep Tuesday afternoon.
“She is LaToya Cantrell, private citizen,” said Rafael Goyeneche, head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
Goyeneche said Cantrell will still get her pension.
After Cantrell’s indictment in 2025, her attorney says she is not guilty.
Goyeneche says if Cantrell wants to travel out of state, she needs permission from the courts and will need to pay for her own security.
“She has to pick up the phone and dial 911 like any other citizen,” Goyeneche said. “Cantrell considered the police department her personal toy she was using for her own personal benefit.”
After the indictment in 2025, her team said she was working long hours serving the city.
“She is doing her job 12-14 hours a day,” her communications director told WDSU.
WDSU Investigates requested a copy of her calendar for meetings and events. Records provided only outlined events she attended, not her full workday.
“She lost her focus as mayor—was more concerned about her own personal desires as opposed to the public’s needs,” Goyeneche said.
WDSU asked Cantrell’s attorney for comment Tuesday. A response was not received.
The city of New Orleans Employees’ Retirement System released the following information:
“In order to obtain the pension contribution balance and/or retirement information related to Latoya Cantrell, please submit a public records request.”
More on state pensions:
Minimum qualifications for a service retirement
The minimum eligibility requirements for a service retirement are as follows:
- Five (5) years of service and sixty-five (65) years of age
- Ten (10) years of service and sixty (60) years of age (A 3% reduction in the benefit allowance is assessed for each year under the age of sixty-two (62)
- Thirty (30) years of service at any age (no reduction if under age 62)
- “Rule of 80” – Age plus years of service equals eighty (No reduction if under the age of sixty-two (62))
- Example – Age 55 with 25 years of service qualifies for “Rule of 80.”
- NOTE: Members electing “Rule of 80” retirements must apply all sick leave for retirement credit and are not eligible to participate in DROP.
Minimum qualifications for a separation retirement
- A member who terminates with at least five (5) but less than ten (10) years of service at termination may collect a pension at age sixty-five (65) with no reduction.
- A member who terminates with at least ten (10) years of service at termination may collect a pension at age sixty (60). The member will incur a 3% reduction in the monthly allowance for each year under age sixty-two (62).
How are monthly pensions calculated?
A member’s retirement allowance is based on his/her average annual base earned compensation. This amount is calculated using the member’s highest consecutive average sixty (60) months of eligible earnings. The average compensation is multiplied by the Board-approved percentages as noted below:
2.5% per year – Years 1 through 25
4% per year – Years after 25
NOTE: The maximum pension benefit is 100% of the average annual base compensation and is granted to members with 34 years and 5 months of creditable service.
Members hired on or after Jan. 1, 2018
2.5% per year for all years
Lastly, a member may elect to receive a refund of his/her contributions instead of a pension benefit.