The OIG received an anonymous complaint that the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families (OYF) was directing the disbursement of monies donated to Forward Together New Orleans (FTNO). FTNO served as the transition committee for Mayor-elect LaToya Cantrell. After the OIG initiated an investigation based on the anonymous complaint, an additional request for the OIG to investigate FTNO’s receipt and use of City funds was made by the City Council of New Orleans (Council) on April 27, 2022.

The Council’s Resolution NO. R-22-203 stated, “BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, That the Council also requests the OIG investigate monies being awarded to nongovernmental agencies through one-year CEAs, including public monies being diverted to Forward Together New Orleans.”