NEW ORLEANS – Mayor Helena Moreno and the City Council received a huge legal win for the City during Moreno’s first week in office that could secure more than $6 million a year to support New Orleans annually. On Thursday, January 15, Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese recognized Mayor Helena Moreno as the lawful trustee of the former Wisner Trust.
“As Councilmember before and as Mayor now, I have fought relentlessly to place the benefits of this trust in the hands of the people of New Orleans – where they belong,” said Mayor Moreno. “This legal victory is the culmination of years of steadfast work by our legal representatives and by the City Council itself as a body, fighting to do what’s right in the face of tremendous odds. Today, the people of New Orleans win.”
“The Wisner Trust saga is coming to a close, and we can finally move on together as a unified city government. Thankfully, the people of New Orleans have a mayor that is interested in getting more money for the city, not less. With this chapter nearly behind us, we can begin to move forward in a new direction for residents,” said Council President JP Morrell.
“Today’s ruling is a major step forward for the people of New Orleans. Judge Reese reaffirmed what the law and history make clear: that the Mayor is the lawful trustee and that the City’s interests come first. With the Council and Mayor now aligned, we can finally move past unnecessary legal obstacles and ensure these assets are managed transparently, publicly, and for the benefit of all New Orleanians,” said Chief Administrative Officer Joe Giarrusso.
Mayor Moreno and the City Council argued that the trust assets belong to City New Orleans. This includes massive tracts of coastal land Edward Wisner donated to the city 111 years ago, and lucrative leases at a major Gulf port that could yield more than $6 million more every year for public coffers.
“We’re glad to now be officially aligned with the administration in the Wisner lawsuit. This unity puts the City in a stronger position, and we’re hopeful it will improve our ability to fully secure the Wisner trust assets to help replenish our reserves and support New Orleans’ long-term financial health,” said Councilmember Lesli Harris.
“The City Council’s win in the Wisner Fund lawsuit brings New Orleans one step closer to improving the living conditions of our most vulnerable residents. The freeing up of much needed resources allows us to demolish blighted buildings, turn on streetlights, and repair streets and sidewalks,” said Councilmember Freddie King. “These are the fundamental investments that make communities safer, stronger, and more livable. When we focus on these core quality-of-life issues, we improve not just individual blocks, but the well-being of the entire city,” King continued.
“Over 100 years ago philanthropist Edward Wisner left resources meant for the benefit of the citizens of the city that he loved New Orleans. It is apparent that leadership of our city in the form of the mayor and city council should be able to act upon the will that was expressed by Mr. Wisner,” said Councilmember Eugene Green. “Today’s ruling confirms that the residents of New Orleans are entitled to the benefits in full that are derived from the trust. Judge Reese’s ruling is welcome, and I look forward to Mayor Moreno and the city council having the ability to apply the proceeds of the Wisner Trust in a manner that serves as the highest and best use for our city and its citizens.”
When Edward Wisner originally created this trust in 1914, his wish was to support the livelihood of New Orleans for generations to come. With Thursday’s judgment, this wish can finally be honored.
During her time on the City Council, Moreno and Council members sued Wisner’s heirs and former Mayor LaToya Cantrell to stop sharing Wisner benefits which generated more than $80 million in the last decade.
The Mayor and New Orleans City Council – now aligned on the issue – are waiting for affirmation of a judgment that has already recognized the termination of the former Wisner trust and the city’s full ownership of trust assets.