NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday on a series of charges including conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction, stemming from allegations that she concealed a romantic relationship with her bodyguard. Prosecutors claimed the arrangement involved misusing public funds, with the bodyguard, who has already faced charges of wire fraud, being compensated while ostensibly working during private meetings and trips.
Cantrell, who is set to leave office within five months due to term limits, has made history as the first female mayor of New Orleans and now faces the distinction of being the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to be charged with a crime. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson highlighted the significance of the case in a state long challenged by public corruption.
The relationship between Cantrell and her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, reached the grand jury stage after a thorough investigation. Cantrell has elected not to comment publicly following the indictment. The grand jury brought forth an 18-count indictment that affects both her and Vappie. Authorities allege that the two engaged in encrypted communications via WhatsApp to avoid detection, further suggesting that their relationship deviated from the professional realm characterized by both parties’ claims.
Text messages introduced in the case reveal daily exchanges between them, with Vappie reminiscing about a trip to Scotland that he noted was “when it all started.” The two reportedly wrote over 15,000 messages that included attempts to erase evidence and lie to FBI agents, as described by Simpson.
Financial records disclosed that the city covered more than $70,000 for Vappie’s travel expenses, significantly related to romantic getaways disguised as work obligations. Notably, one trip in September 2022 to Martha’s Vineyard involved Cantrell skipping an official conference in Miami. She described these moments as the times “when we are truly alone” in messages to Vappie.
Further complications arose when Cantrell allegedly misled investigators regarding her phone’s automatic message deletion feature, which she claimed to have activated in 2021. In reality, this feature was not turned on until late 2022, coinciding with growing media scrutiny over their connection.
Cantrell’s past experiences in office have made her a polarizing figure, facing allegations of misconduct along with previous internal conflicts. Critics assert that she has often been subjected to a double standard as a Black female leader, a claim she and her supporters have reiterated. In contrast, Simpson dismissed suggestions that discrimination played a role in the investigation.
The fallout from these events marks a tumultuous period for Cantrell, who has strained relations with various city officials and faced a recall effort in 2022. As the news of the indictment circulates, it has been met with somber reactions from city leaders, including Council President JP Morrell, who expressed that this is a troubling moment for the people of New Orleans.
This indictment echoes troubling past cases of corruption in the city’s leadership, notably the ten-year prison sentence served by former Mayor Ray Nagin for bribery and fraud. As Cantrell prepares to conclude her term, her legacy remains overshadowed by both her early accomplishments and controversies.
The contents of this article were generated by an automated system and may not be fully accurate. Any corrections or requests for removal can be directed to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.