The New Orleans mayor was indicted Friday on multiple charges linked to an alleged relationship she had with a New Orleans Police Department officer on her security team.
Cantrell is facing 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 charges in Cantrell’s indictment.
Cantrell becomes the first sitting mayor to face federal charges in the city’s history.
Cantrell and Vappie are accused of exploiting their positions to develop a scheme to defraud the city by engaging in personal activities while Vappie was paid to protect her.
The indictment alleges that a photo was posted on social media during a trip to Napa in April of 2022. Vappie was in the picture with the mayor while she visited the winery with other staff members.
The photo was sent to one of Cantrell’s trusted staff members, who expressed concern that Vappie was in the picture.
The associate asked that the picture be removed, and the mayor instructed them not to contact her staff.
The photo of the trip was included in the indictment.
Cantrell and Vappie are accused of spending time together not only on the trip to Napa, where they are accused of attending a wine tasting together, but also on other trips and locally.
The indictment alleges Vappie and Cantrell manipulated their schedules to spend more time together, and also at the Pontalba apartments that she used in her capacity as mayor.
In total, Vappie’s trips with Cantrell cost the city over $70,000, which is separate from Cantrell’s travel costs.
For more on the indictment, click here.
READ MORE:Photo included in indictment shows Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Jeffrey Vappie visit winery in Napa
