Landfill Case Updates

Agriculture Street Landfill Class Action Lawsuit Update

May 30, 2024

John Johnson, et al v. Orleans Parish School Board, et al
Civil District Court, No. 1993-14333, Division J-15

On February 14, 2024, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued its final ruling in this case, allowing the District Court’s Judgment in favor of the eligible Class members to remain as is – untouched. All delays have now passed for HANO or the City to ask for a review by the U.S. Supreme Court. Therefore, the District Court’s $75,323,455.71 Judgment in your favor is a final Judgment.
Unfortunately, HANO and The City of New Orleans have shown no interest at all in paying any part of this Judgment. Similarly, the Orleans Parish School Board has shown no interest in paying any part of the Judgment in favor of the former Moton School staff and students. Simply put, none of these defendants have made any attempt to pay any part of these Judgments to any of the eligible Class members. At this time, we have no indication that they will ever pay the Judgment, and, as we have reported to you before, under Louisiana law, we cannot force them to pay it.
Louisiana law allows a citizen to file a lawsuit against a municipality (like the City of New Orleans) or a municipal entity (like HANO and the Orleans Parish School Board). But if the citizen wins the lawsuit, Louisiana law prevents the citizen from enforcing the Judgment. That is, we cannot seize City or HANO or School Board property to satisfy the Judgment like we could if the Judgment was against a private person or a corporation.
This means your Class Action is over. There is nothing more we can do at this time. If or when we have any news of the possibility of any payments, we will notify the eligible Class members by direct mail, by posting the announcement on our websites, and with a news release in the local papers throughout the State. We will no longer answer or return your calls about the status of the case, or to change your address. Please do not call us for an update. Any new information will be posted on our firms’ websites.

Thank you – Class Counsel
Suzette Bagneris
Joseph Bruno
Linda Harang
Stephen Murray
George Roux