New Orleans commission orders rehiring of fired city council clerk Lora Johnson after finding her alleged sexual harassment didn't harm productivity
Share and Follow

A New Orleans commission has ordered the city council to rehire a clerk who had been fired over alleged sexual harassment in the workplace because it determined her actions didn’t harm the office’s “efficient operation.”

Former Clerk of Council Lora Johnson was fired last year after the New Orleans City Council determined that she had created a hostile environment — including allegations of unwanted touching, demeaning language and intimidation — for her employees for at least 11 years, according to NOLA.com.

But after Johnson, who worked in city government for 35 years, denied the allegations and appealed her firing, a commission last Monday gave the seal of approval to rehire her and compensate the pay she lost during her time away.


Former Clerk of Council Lora Johnson was fired last year after the New Orleans City Council determined that she had created a hostile environment
Former Clerk of Council Lora Johnson was fired last year after the New Orleans City Council determined that she had created a hostile environment. Facebook

The Civil Service Commission, essentially a glorified Human Resources department for the government, accepted the prior findings that proved Johnson’s wrongdoing — including that she had “engaged in instances of inappropriate behavior,” including frequently touching employees’ “behinds,” the outlet reported.

However, the crux of their sign-off relies on the City Council’s determination of harm that Johnson may have caused — which the commission believed was distinctly lacking.

According to the commission, Johnson should be reinstated because “the City Council has failed to carry its burden showing that the complained-of conduct impaired the efficient operation of the Clerk of Council’s office.”

Such impairment is needed to justify termination under the commission’s rules, but it did not specify what sort of decline would warrant the disciplinary action.

In its report, the commission also named the impacted employees who accused Johnson by sharing their full names — until then, the four alleged victims were only referenced anonymously.

City Council President JP Morrell was appalled by the commission’s decision and flagrant disregard for the harmed employees.


Johnson, who worked in city government for 35 years, denied the allegations and appealed her firing, a commission last Monday gave the seal of approval to rehire her and compensate the pay she lost during her time away.
New Orleans City Council

“This decision will have a chilling effect on every victim who is considering whether to report workplace abuse. The City of New Orleans cannot claim to care about sexual assault survivors while continuing to gloss over serious allegations in the name of efficiency,” he wrote in a statement on April 16.

He further said the commission’s ruling creates a dangerous precedent, according to NOLA.com.

“By the Civil Service Commission’s logic, sexual harassment in the workplace is acceptable, so long as the harassment doesn’t affect the overall work product.”

The commission, however, largely dismissed the allegations as not being serious enough to warrant Johnson’s firing.

“None of the incidents at issue … was so severe that termination was appropriate, and overall the conduct spanning over 10 years was not severe or pervasive,” the commission wrote.

Johnson’s lawyer denied the allegations — stating that the commission never determined if his client’s “sporadic touching of co-workers was intentional or accidental.”

“There was never any sexual harassment in this case,” Brett Prendergast told the outlet.  

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Blood-curdling screams and a 'crazed' look: Witnesses describe Michigan Walmart stabbing

Witnesses Detail Terrifying Michigan Walmart Stabbing Scene

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — It was a seemingly normal Saturday for Julia Martell,…
Arkansas couple killed at Devil's Den State Park while hiking with young daughters; suspect at large

Couple killed at Arkansas’ Devil’s Den State Park ‘died heroes protecting their little girls,’ family says

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The couple who were…
Jeffrey Epstein (left) and real estate developer Donald Trump as they pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate

Trump Claims Epstein Poached His Employees, Causing Their Rift

() President Donald Trump stopped speaking with Jeffrey Epstein after he poached…

Three Discovered Unresponsive Following Plane Crash Off California Coast

MONTEREY, Calif. (AP) Three people were found unresponsive Sunday morning after a…
Trump 'disappointed' in Putin, says he'll reduce 50-day deadline

Trump ‘disappointed’ in Putin, says he’ll reduce 50-day deadline

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! President Donald Trump on…
‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ scores Marvel's first $100 million box office opening of 2025

‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Achieves Marvel’s First $100 Million Box Office Debut of 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marvel’s first family has finally found box office…
MAGA ally admits White House 'misstep' on Epstein files

MAGA Supporter Acknowledges White House Error with Epstein Documents

The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold further releases of files related to…
All the celebrity rosé wines ranked: From Meghan to Cameron Diaz

Ranked: The Best Celebrity Rosé Wines, from Meghan Markle to Cameron Diaz

It seems every celebrity has a side hustle these days, and many…