An alleged stalking case that was dismissed by an appeals court was referenced in an indictment against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
Cantrell is facing charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, false statements, obstruction of justice and false declaration before a grand jury.
Former New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffrey Vappie is facing new allegations in Cantrell’s indictment.
A portion of the indictment alleges that a New Orleans citizen captured a photograph of Cantrell and Vappie together, claiming the person had harassed her and risked Cantrell’s safety.
This resident was Anne Breaud, who lived in an apartment across from a restaurant where Cantrell and Vappie were eating.
The case stems from an incident on April 7, 2024, when Breaud, a resident of the Upper Pontalba Apartments, photographed Cantrell and Vappie on a balcony at the Tableau Restaurant across the street.
A month later, Cantrell filed a restraining order petition and an official police report alleging that Breaud’s actions amounted to stalking and harassment.
Cantrell’s handwritten petition described Breaud as a threat to her safety and that of her family, accusing Breaud of “aggressively photographing and harassing” her during a private lunch.
The trial court initially issued a temporary restraining order but later reversed course.
The court awarded Breaud $15,393.52 in attorney’s fees and costs, prompting Cantrell to appeal.
After a year of back-and-forth litigation, the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a trial court’s dismissal of Cantrell’s stalking petition against Breaud, ruling that the mayor’s claims violated the defendant’s First Amendment rights and were properly dismissed under the state’s anti-SLAPP statute.
READ MORE:Indictment against Mayor Cantrell details allegations against resident who took photo of her
