Introduction to the Indictment
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday in what prosecutors called a yearslong scheme to hide a romantic relationship with her bodyguard, who is accused of being paid as if he was working even when they met alone in apartments and traveled to vineyards for wine tasting.
Cantrell faces charges of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction, less than five months before she leaves office due to term limits. The first female mayor in New Orleans’ 300-year history was elected twice but now becomes the city’s first mayor to be charged while in office.
Background on the Charges
“Public corruption has crippled us for years and years,” Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said, referring to Louisiana’s notorious history. “And this is extremely significant.” Cantrell’s bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, was already facing charges of wire fraud and making false statements. He has pleaded not guilty. A grand jury returned an 18-count indictment Friday that added Cantrell to the case.
Details of the Allegations
They’re accused of exchanging encrypted messages through WhatsApp to avoid detection and then deleting the conversations. The mayor and Vappie have said their relationship was strictly professional, but the indictment portrayed it as “personal and intimate.” The mayor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a phone message or email from The Associated Press seeking comment. Cantrell hasn’t sent out a message on her official social media feed on X since July 15, when she said the city was experiencing historic declines in crime.
Extent of the Scheme
Cantrell and Vappie used WhatsApp for more than 15,000 messages, including efforts to harass a citizen, delete evidence, make false statements to FBI agents, “and ultimately to commit perjury before a federal grand jury,” Simpson said. They met in an apartment while Vappie claimed to be on duty, and she arranged for him to attend 14 trips, Simpson said. The trips, he added, were described by her as times “when they were truly alone." New Orleans taxpayers paid more than $70,000 for Vappie’s travel, the prosecutor said.
Reaction to the Indictment
Mardi Gras 2022 is officially over, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the celebration a success, after the 2021 celebrations were cancelled due to COVID-19. Simpson said Cantrell lied in an affidavit that she activated a function on her phone that automatically deleted messages in 2021 when she really didn’t active that feature until December 2022, a month after the media began speculating on the pair’s conduct. When a private citizen took photos of them dining together and drinking wine, Cantrell filed a police report and sought a restraining order, Simpson said. Vappie retired from the police department in 2024.
Defense and Context
Cantrell and her remaining allies have said that she’s been unfairly targeted as a Black woman and held to a different standard than male officials, her executive powers at City Hall sabotaged. Simpson, however, shook off claims that any of it played a role in the investigation. “It’s irrelevant that it’s romance or that it’s female,” he told reporters, adding that the allegations were “an incredible betrayal of people’s confidence in their own government.” Cantrell, a Democrat, has clashed with City Council members during a turbulent second term and survived a recall effort in 2022.
Conclusion
The indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell marks a significant moment in the city’s history, highlighting the issue of public corruption. As Cantrell faces charges of conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction, the city looks on, concerned about the implications of these allegations on its governance and trust in public officials. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences, not just for Cantrell but for the city of New Orleans as a whole.
FAQs
- Q: What are the charges against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell?
A: Cantrell faces charges of conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction. - Q: What is the nature of the relationship between Cantrell and her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie?
A: The indictment portrays their relationship as “personal and intimate,” contrary to their claims of a strictly professional relationship. - Q: How did Cantrell and Vappie allegedly communicate to avoid detection?
A: They used encrypted messages through WhatsApp and then deleted the conversations. - Q: What is the total amount paid by New Orleans taxpayers for Vappie’s travel?
A: New Orleans taxpayers paid more than $70,000 for Vappie’s travel. - Q: What is the reaction of the city council to the indictment?
A: City Council President JP Morrell’s spokesperson described it as a “sad day for the people of New Orleans,” offering thoughts and prayers to the Cantrell family.
