The New Orleans mayor was indicted on federal charges Friday afternoon, and court records show she was warned about some of the allegations she was eventually indicted on.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell is facing conspiracy, wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, false statements, obstruction of justice and false declaration before a grand jury charges.
A former New Orleans Police Department officer, Jeffrey Vappie, he is facing new charges in connection with Cantrell’s indictment.
In 2021, the indictment alleges that Cantrell and Vappie entered a personal relationship that turned romantic.
She’s accused of exploiting her public position to develop a scheme to defraud the City of New Orleans by engaging in personal activities while Vappie was paid to be on duty, providing her protection.
According to the indictment, some of Cantrell’s associates tried to warn her about having an affair and traveling with Vappie on trips paid for by the city.
“It is a FELONY to have your lover be paid to work and have his travel paid for by the city,” one text message read from an associate. “That Nashville mayor had to pay back like 50k AND serve three years probation. She is done! Please don’t’ let this be your path LaToya.”
She is also accused of responding to an associate saying, “Please don’t accuse me,” and “prove to me that I am having a relationship.”
Cantrell is also accused of falsely saying that her relationship with Vappie was not about a personal relationship, but a work relationship.
Cantrell and Vappie are both accused of manipulating their schedules to spend more time together while she traveled and at the Pontalba apartment that she used in her capacity as mayor.
For more on the indictment against Cantrell, click here.
READ MORE:Mayor LaToya Cantrell was warned about her relationship, trips, indictment alleges