The firebombing of Mario Zervigon's cars--and subsequent burning of his home--in uptown New Orleans has been ruled "definitely arson" by ATF agents investigating the torching.
It is an easy assumption to make, as Zervigon's two cars, one right next to his home and one down the block, went up in flames simultaneously, accompanied by what witnesses are calling "popping sounds."
The bigger, and more puzzling, question, is "Why?"
Authorities can't, at this point, say anything about motive for the attack, but ATF agent Kevin Moran would not discount the possibility that the arson was connected to Zervigon's political work.
“It is a priority to work this investigation because of the nature of the political environment,” he added in an interview with WWL-TV. “Was it a random act or was he targeted because of his work in the political arena?”
The possibility can't be dismissed. Zervigon is a well-known, longtime political operative, running fundraising operations almost exclusively for Democratic campaigns in city and state races. Most recently, he worked for Judge Bernadette D’Souza, who won her bid for re-election this week, and Public Service Commissioner candidate Forrest Bradley Wright, a staunch supporter of renewables, whose race will go to a runoff next month. Wright's opponent, incumbent Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, issued a statement condemning the arson Thursday morning.
State senator J.P. Morrell was willing to go where others were not and link the attack directly to Zervigon's political work.
State Sen. J.P. Morrell, another client and friend of Zervigon’s, said the fact that the second car across the street also burned makes it clear that the attack was directed at Zervigon. Because the second car was away from the house parked among others, the person who set the fire must have known it belonged to Zervigon, Morrell said.
“It was a politically motivated attack specifically targeting Mario,” Morrell said. “The other car across the street is a definite message.”
As the ATF and NOFD investigations are ongoing, it is surely premature to make such a judgment, but the possibility of the attack being politically motivated can't be dismissed.
WWL TV points out that the Wright's even being in a runoff for Public Service Commissioner would have been unlikely without Zervigon.
There is no doubt that Mario Zervigon is playing a key role in a very intense election. He led the charge to raise more than $100,000 for first-time Public Service Commission candidate Forest Bradley-Wright, helping push him to a surprising first-place finish in this week's primary
Stay tuned for more developments on this exceedingly ugly bit of news.