Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield was released from prison on January 9 after serving less than a year in federal prison for diverting public funds to personal accounts (as reported by WVUE and WDSU). In addition to his release, his appearance in the lineup for Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club’s Lundi Gras Festival has been confirmed.

In January 2022, Mayfield pleaded guilty to diverting $1.3 million in New Orleans Public Library Foundation money to other accounts for personal use.

The investigation into the scandal began in 2015 and uncovered many specific purchases Mayfield made. He commissioned a 24-karat gold-plated bejeweled trumpet, spent $39,000 for a prepaid concert at Carnegie Hall and $18,000 for lodging and meals at the Ritz-Carlton in New York. A single breakfast at the luxury hotel totaled $1,435.

Mayfield was ordered to serve an 18-month sentence and he and his business partner, Ronald Markham, agreed to pay back more than $1 million to the foundation. Irvin Mayfield’s release was approximately three months early.

In addition to his original sentence, Mayfield was required to conduct 500 hours of free music lessons for New Orleans youth under supervised release in coordination with such organizations as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and the New Orleans Recreation Department.

Mayfield is a Grammy award-winning musician who recorded several albums for Basin Street Records.  Mayfield was well-respected in the community, founding New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) and serving the community through board seats on NOJO and the Library Foundation.