Attorney General Liz Murrill today sent letters to New Orleans officials warning that their attempt to install a competing Orleans Parish clerk of court triggers serious consequences under Louisiana’s usurper laws.

The letters were sent to five New Orleans City Council members, Mayor Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams, and retired Judge Calvin Johnson. The Attorney General warned that the Council’s resolutions purporting to appoint Judge Johnson as interim clerk and call a special election rest on the false narrative that Act 15 created a new, vacant office.

Act 15 did not create a vacancy. It abolished the former criminal clerk’s office, transferred its authority, duties, records, and funds to the former civil clerk’s office, and renamed that continuing office the clerk of court for Orleans Parish. Chelsey Richard Napoleon remains the lawful clerk of court for Orleans Parish.

“I specifically asked the Council to wait for the Louisiana Supreme Court to weigh in. Instead, they knowingly refused and moved forward with resolutions that attempt to displace Chelsey Richard Napoleon from her lawful office as Clerk of Court for Orleans Parish. There is no vacancy, and no public official should recognize this fictional office or Judge Calvin Johnson’s purported appointment to it. Louisiana’s usurper laws carry serious consequences, and I will enforce them," said Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Attorney General Murrill called on the Council to immediately rescind or suspend implementation of its resolutions. She also urged Mayor Moreno and District Attorney Williams to retract any support for the attempted usurpation and take no further action recognizing the disputed office or appointment.

The matter is currently before the Louisiana Supreme Court, which stayed a related preliminary injunction Sunday night. Until the Court rules, no public official should attempt to displace Chelsey Richard Napoleon or give effect to a competing claim to the office.

Read her letter to Mayor Helena Moreno here.

Read her letter to New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell here.

Read her letter to District Attorney Jason Williams here.

Read her letter to retired Judge Calvin Johnson here.

Read the letter to Council Vice President Willard here.

Read the letter to Council Member Hughes here.

Read the letter to Council Member McCarron here.

Read the letter to Council Member King here.