New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction of justice on Friday, marking the conclusion of a multi-year federal investigation. The charges stem from allegations that she and her former bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, conspired to hide a romantic relationship and misuse city funds.
According to a superseding indictment, Cantrell and Vappie, who retired from the police department last year, allegedly developed a “personal and intimate relationship” in 2021. The indictment claims they used their public positions to conceal the affair and to maximize their time together, including arranging for Vappie to accompany the mayor on at least 14 domestic and international trips. Prosecutors allege the City of New Orleans paid over $70,000 for Vappie’s travel on these trips, during which he was paid as if he were on duty. The pair is also accused of using an encrypted messaging service to exchange over 15,000 messages and of subsequently deleting the conversations to avoid detection.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson described the case as a “three-year fraud scheme that we allege exploited their public authority and positions.” The indictment further claims that Cantrell lied in a 2021 affidavit about having a phone setting that automatically deleted messages, a feature that was not activated until late 2022 after media scrutiny began. Cantrell, who is term-limited and will leave office in January, has been the subject of a turbulent second term, marked by clashes with the City Council and a failed recall effort. She has previously stated she believes she has been unfairly targeted as a Black woman.
Vappie has pleaded not guilty to his charges of wire fraud and making false statements. The indictment makes Cantrell the first sitting mayor in New Orleans’ history to face criminal charges.