NEW ORLEANS — In a move to stabilize a city budget currently reeling from a $160 million deficit, Chief Administrative Officer Joe Giarrusso announced today that the city is drastically scaling back its traditional Carnival celebrations at Gallier Hall.
Giarrusso—the former council budget chair who was recently appointed CAO by Mayor Helena Moreno—revealed that the previous administration spent a staggering $240,000 on Mardi Gras expenses at the historic venue last year.
The fiscal autopsy of the 2024 season uncovered several high-priced line items, most notably $15,000 spent on professional DJs to provide background music over a two-week period…