By Malik Vale
A Once-Respected Board Loses Its Way
The New Orleans Ethics Review Board (ERB), once a respected body with a clear mission, is now struggling to fulfill its core responsibility: overseeing the Office of Inspector General (OIG). Under growing pressure and internal instability, the board has recently made decisions that threaten the public’s trust and raise serious legal and ethical concerns.
A Questionable Vote with Legal Consequences
The latest controversy centers on the ERB’s vote to renew Inspector General Ed Michel’s contract for another four years. Two of the five board members who participated in the vote were serving expired terms. Their votes may be invalid under city law, casting doubt on the entire renewal process. A board created to enforce ethics cannot ignore basic governance procedures.
Political Influence Trumps Public Interest
Michel’s path to reappointment raises even more troubling questions. Rather than allowing his record to stand on its own, he relied on political insiders like Scott Cowan and Raphael Goeyneche to lobby board members. These guys are unelected power brokers. And they stepped in because of clear public opposition to Michel’s contract extension. Their involvement highlights that political and outside pressure strongly influence the ERB. New Orleans sorely needs a strong and independent ethics board.
Allegations of Civil Service Violations
Even more concerning are reports that civil service employees were used—while on the city payroll—to campaign for Michel’s reappointment. If true, that may violate both the Louisiana Constitution and civil service rules. Classified employees are prohibited from engaging in political activity or appearing to support candidates or factions. These rules exist to ensure that public servants act fairly and without political bias.
Oversight Has Gone Missing
Community advocates, including the New Orleans United Front (NOUF), have repeatedly raised alarms about the lack of accountability within the OIG. Since Michel took office in 2021, there have been no peer reviews or performance evaluations. This absence of oversight violates city law and leaves the public in the dark about how the OIG operates.
Transparency Laws Ignored
Making matters worse, the OIG has ignored multiple public records requests. These refusals have resulted in civil litigation and further highlight the office’s resistance to transparency. An agency tasked with uncovering misconduct should never hide its own records.
Related: Should IG Resign?
The Ethics Review Board Must Also Answer
While Michel deserves scrutiny, the Ethics Review Board also bears responsibility. City ordinances require citizen input and regular peer reviews of the Inspector General. The board’s failure to enforce those requirements reflects a troubling shift in priorities and undermines its own credibility. A body meant to protect ethical standards cannot pick and choose which laws to follow.
A Call for Reform and Action
This is not about one vote or one contract. It is about a pattern of disregard for the rules meant to protect the public. The people of New Orleans deserve institutions that uphold the highest standards, not ones that bend to political pressure. The ethics review board must be the shining example.
To restore trust, the city must take immediate action. An independent investigation should examine how Michel’s contract was renewed, whether civil service laws were violated, and why oversight requirements were ignored. Reforms must follow—because ethical governance requires more than good intentions. It demands structure, accountability, and respect for the law.
The Stakes Could Not Be Higher
New Orleans has faced more than its share of political scandals. What happens next will determine whether this city’s oversight agencies serve the public or protect themselves. We must choose the path of transparency, fairness, and integrity—before the damage becomes irreversible.