Shortly after a New Orleans special prosecutor moved Wednesday to , Murrill said she will continue to push for answers about how the criminal charges came to be, adding that “it’s not over.”
Murrill said in a Wednesday afternoon press conference that the past few weeks have been difficult for her and her family. The New Orleans grand jury handed up a 16-felony count indictment against her on July 2, charging her with malfeasance and intimidation.
The Louisiana Supreme Court quickly stayed the case, and New Orleans public officials issued letters Tuesday , saying the indictment had prompted repercussions for the city.
“What I did was not a crime, it was never a crime,” Murrill said at a press conference as she was flanked by Gov. Jeff Landry and her attorneys, Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue and Blake Arcuri. She estimated her legal fees were at least $250,000.
Murrill described the case as a malicious prosecution, saying she wants to ensure that the grand jury process that led to her indictment does not happen again to others. She and Landry — both Republicans who have each tangled with New Orleans Democratic officials — said they had tried to work for the good of New Orleans.
Attorney General Liz Murrill speaks about the federal charges she faced from an Orleans Parish grand jury during a press conference at the GOHSEP headquarters on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos
Javier Gallegos
“You can’t be friends with someone who wants to put you in jail for 80 years,” Murrill said.
Landry called for investigations from the feds, the state and the bodies that discipline judges and attorneys. That call came after Congressman Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel on July 3 asking the bureau to investigate the circumstances surrounding Murrill’s indictment.
Citing “significant questions regarding the proper application of the law” in the grand jury process, Higgins’ letter asked the FBI to review whether politics had driven the grand jury’s charges against Murrill.
“I think the feds need to come in,” Landry said Wednesday.
Gov. Jeff Landry speaks about the felony charges Attorney General Liz Murrill, right, faced from an Orleans Parish grand jury during a press conference at the GOHSEP headquarters on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos
Javier Gallegos
It was not immediately clear whether the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice or other federal law enforcement agencies have opened a probe of the circumstances surrounding Murrill’s indictment.
“The FBI did receive the congressman's letter, as we receive complaints and concerns regarding potential wrongdoing every day,” said Lesley Hill, a spokesperson for the bureau’s New Orleans field office. “Longstanding Department policy and practice, however, prevent us from confirming the existence of or otherwise commenting on any ongoing investigations."
A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Louisiana State Police have been reviewing the grand jury’s activities at the request of Landry, who promised to pardon Murrill if she were convicted. Landry declined to comment Wednesday on the status of that probe, citing the ongoing investigation.
“How many of you actually believe that a grand jury of citizens in New Orleans spontaneously just decided that a letter sent by the attorney general to the City Council was a criminal act?” the governor asked.
Landry said lawmakers may also return to session earlier than usual to contemplate more legislation involving New Orleans courts.