According to multiple published reports, float builder Jack Rizzuto sued the Krewe of Oshun, filing a lawsuit in the 29th Judicial District Court in St. Charles Parish. According to the reports, the lawsuit alleges Oshun owes Rizzuto’s company $130,000; however, it is unclear if that figure includes only past due amounts or seeks to compensate for potentially lost future services. The lawsuit is the latest volley in a back and forth that has gone on between the two sides for a number of months, with Rizzuto stating at different times that the Krewe owes amounts varying between $50,000 and $200,000.
The controversy between Rizzuto and Oshun first came to light when Oshun officials alleged that Rizzuto was attempting to install himself as the captain of the organization and to replace Oshun’s board of directors with those of his own choice. The krewe filed for a restraining order in Orleans Civil District Court in June, which a judge granted on a temporary basis. Before the court hearing to make the order more permanent the two sides settled the issue of control over the organization. Then, on July 9, local businesswoman Gian Durand, who served as the 2025 Queen of the Krewe of Alla, announced via Facebook that she had been named the new captain of the krewe.
Around the same time, Rizzuto’s son, who is also his father’s attorney, reportedly sent a letter to the New Orleans City Council suggesting the Council revoke the krewe’s parade permit due to the non-payment of float expenses. Such a move is within the Council’s discretion, as krewes are required to certify each year that, among other things, all obligations (to its float provider) have been satisfied. Rizzuto has stated that he allowed Oshun to make the certification in 2025 even though the krewe had not yet paid him for the 2025 parade.
As of this time, there is no word on when any hearings or other court action will take place on the matter. However, the first skirmish is likely to be over whether the lawsuit was filed in the correct court. Generally, a Louisiana corporate defendant should be sued in the court where it is registered to do business. According to the Secretary of State’s website, the krewe is registered in Orleans Parish, not St. Charles Parish. Questions also remain as to what, if any, action will be taken by the New Orleans City Council in regard to Oshun’s parade permit.
