Corrupt actions under investigation against New Orleans mayor, centered around a purported romantic relationship.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell faces a federal indictment on multiple felony charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and lying to a grand jury. The allegations centre around an extramarital affair with her former bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, a retired New Orleans Police officer who was also indicted.
According to the indictment, Cantrell and Vappie conspired to misuse taxpayer money by charging the city for Vappie’s time and travel that were not official duties but personal trips. The misconduct was detected after a nearly three-year federal investigation.
Evidence presented includes about 15,000 text messages between Cantrell and Vappie, which federal investigators reviewed, showing discussions of their relationship and travel plans. Cantrell is accused of lying to federal investigators and deleting texts to obstruct justice.
The conspiracy charge involves a coordinated effort by Cantrell and Vappie to conceal their affair and misuse taxpayer money. One example cited in the indictment is a September 2022 rendezvous on Martha's Vineyard, during which Vappie's travel was covered by the city.
Cantrell has not posted on her official social media feed since July 15. She has clashed with City Council members during her second term and survived a recall effort in 2022. Cantrell and her allies claim she has been unfairly targeted and held to a different standard due to her race and gender.
Vappie is already facing charges of wire fraud and making false statements, and has pleaded not guilty. New Orleans taxpayers paid over $70,000 for Vappie’s travel. Cantrell allegedly lied about activating a message deletion feature on her phone in an affidavit, claiming it was activated in 2021 when it was actually activated in December 2022.
Cantrell filed a police report and sought a restraining order against a private citizen who took photos of her dining with Vappie. Cantrell's husband, attorney Jason Cantrell, died in 2023.
The indictment is related to a years-long scheme to hide a romantic relationship with her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie. Monet Brignac, a spokesperson for City Council President JP Morrell, described the indictment as a "sad day for the people of New Orleans."
This development marks a significant blow to Cantrell's civic profile, with her early achievements being eclipsed by self-inflicted wounds and bitter feuds with a hostile City Council. The indictment comes less than five months before Cantrell leaves office due to term limits, and Vappie retired from the Police Department in 2024.
The indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is a significant event in the city's political landscape, raising questions about accountability, transparency, and the misuse of public funds. The case is ongoing, and Cantrell and Vappie are scheduled to appear in court soon.
- The California government is currently dealing with a significant event in its political landscape, as New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell faces a federal indictment for conspiracy, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and lying to a grand jury.
- The crime-and-justice sector is focusing on the case of LaToya Cantrell, who is allegedly involved in a years-long scheme to hide a romantic relationship with her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie.
- In Los Angeles, the general-news media is reporting on the indictment of Mayor LaToya Cantrell, which involves charges of misusing taxpayer money and obstructing justice.
- The indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has shed light on the issue of political corruption, as she is accused of using her position to cover personal trips with her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, which were charged to the city.
