The city of New Orleans has issued a statement from Mayor LaToya Cantrell just days after she was federally indicted.
Cantrell was indicted on Friday and is facing charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, false statements, obstruction of justice and false declaration before a grand jury.
Monday marked Cantrell’s first day of work since the indictment.
Her administration issued the following statement from Cantrell regarding city services moving forward:
“Today, Mayor LaToya Cantrell expressed her gratitude to the dedicated employees of the City of New Orleans for their continued commitment to serving the citizens of our city. All city services remain operational, government functions continue to move forward, and Mayor Cantrell remains focused on doing the job each day for the City of New Orleans.
“As stated on Friday, respected attorney Eddie Castaing continues to review information regarding this matter.
“Until his review is complete, the City will reserve the right to refrain from commenting directly on this case.”
About the indictment:
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.
The indictment alleges that in October 2021, Cantrell and Vappie developed a personal relationship and hid that relationship to maximize their time together.
Cantrell and Vappie are accused of exploiting their public positions to develop and implement a scheme to defraud the city of New Orleans.
They are accused of engaging in personal activities while Vappie was paid to be on her security detail.
Vappie often traveled with the mayor on trips paid for by the city. In total, Vappie’s trips cost the city of New Orleans more than $70,000, which is separate from Cantrell’s travel amounts, according to the indictment.
Cantrell and Vappie are also accused of using encrypted messages to hide their relationship through the app WhatsApp.
Both are accused of deleting photos and messages, making false statements about their relationship to federal law enforcement agents, and testifying falsely under oath.
In 2021, Vappie was accused of going on trips with Cantrell 14 times between 2021 and 2024.
Vappie is also accused of spending time alone with Cantrell in the Pontalba apartment that Cantrell stayed in.
When the grand jury investigation began in 2023, the indictment alleges both Cantrell and Vappie lied about their relationship, specifically about gifts they gave each other.
Vappie and Cantrell are also accused of exchanging more than 15,000 messages and pictures. Both are accused of deleting the messages they exchanged.
Cantrell is also accused of concealing documents and records in an effort to hide information from the grand jury.
The federal government is asking Cantrell and Vappie to forfeit any property related to the allegations against them and may seek a money judgment.
Cantrell becomes the first sitting mayor to face federal charges in the city’s history.
The city of New Orleans issued the following statement regarding the indictment:
“The City of New Orleans is aware of today’s indictment against Mayor Cantrell. The Mayor’s attorney, Eddie Castaing, recently received the information, and is thoroughly reviewing the document. Until his review is complete, the City will not comment further on this matter.”
Reactions from city leaders:
New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell issued the following statement on the indictment:
“Our office is aware of the indictment that was filed today against Mayor LaToya Cantrell. This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cantrell family as they navigate through this difficult time.”
New Orleans City Councilman Joe Giarusso has issued the following statement:
“Everyone is presumed innocent under the law. Mayor Cantrell deserves that presumption. This, unfortunately, will be sensationalized because it involves the Mayor and will further impede the City’s operations. We should, however, let the facts play out and not rush to judgment.”
New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas released a statement regarding Cantrell’s indictment:
“The announcement today reminds us of the need to let the justice system work in a fair, timely fashion and without regard to politics or preference. I’m praying for Mayor Cantrell, her family, and all New Orleanians. These are critical times for our city to get back on track and to stay focused on building a city that works and thrives for everyone. Let us all hope for a swift resolution to the situation that will bring justice. We must unify as a city and focus on the challenges we face together.”
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issues the following statement on Cantrell’s indictment:
“New Orleans deserves leadership that is honest, accountable, and dedicated to serving the public and making the City safe, clean, and economically sustainable. These are serious charges. I’ll be monitoring this matter closely.”
Councilman Eugene Green issued the following statement:
“Today is a difficult day for the City of New Orleans. I hold the Mayor and her family in my thoughts during this time. As a proud resident and member of the City Council, I remain committed to working tirelessly on behalf of the residents of District D and our city. My focus will continue to be on moving New Orleans forward—ensuring the safety of our citizens, strengthening our neighborhoods, and meeting the needs of my constituents.”
Councilmember Helena Moreno issued the following statement:
“The mayor is entitled to a presumption of innocence and a vigorous defense. Councilmember Moreno’s focus remains on a new way forward for New Orleans. Restoring basic services, creating opportunity and putting people first will continue to be her priority.”
What happens next to Mayor Cantrell?
Cantrell is serving her final year in office. A new mayor will be elected in October and take office on Jan. 6, 2026.
It is important to note that a federal trial can sometimes take years before beginning, so the indictment likely won’t hinder the end of her term unless she is convicted.
Cantrell, if convicted, would face suspension without pay, according to the city’s home charter.
The home charter states the suspension would remain in place until the conviction is final and all court proceedings are exhausted.
The council could then, by a majority vote, declare the mayor’s seat vacant.
If Cantrell steps down, it’s likely an interim mayor would be appointed until the election.
Should she be sentenced to prison for any crimes, that sentence likely would not take place until after she is out of office.
She could also enter a plea, which would open her up to the opportunity of negotiating no jail time.
It is also possible that Cantrell would face fines regardless of whether she pleads or if she is sentenced to a federal crime.
Cantrell could, and likely would, appeal any convictions she could face. If an appeal overturns a conviction, she could be owed back pay from any suspensions, and if still within her term, be restored all powers as mayor, according to the home charter.
A federal conviction would not impact her pension.
Cantrell’s pension would be 75-80% of her highest-paid salary over a three-year period. This would likely be her salary as mayor, which is over $150,000 per year.
Former security guard indicted:
Cantrell was implicated in an indictment that came down in July 2024 against her former security guard, Jeffrey Vappie.
Vappie was indicted on seven counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements. Cantrell was implicated throughout the indictment and named as “Public Official 1, Mayor of the City of New Orleans.”
Vappie is accused of incurring more than $47,000 in costs connected to work trips while he traveled with Cantrell.
Those costs included meals, lodging, incidentals, and his salary.
According to the indictment, Vappie “knowingly submitted false timecards to NOPD in excessive payments.”
According to the indictment, Vappie and Cantrell began a romantic relationship in November 2021, a relationship the indictment said Vappie routinely denied having.
The indictment goes on to say that Vappie and Cantrell exchanged personal and romantic messages through photographs, text messages, voice notes, and WhatsApp encrypted messages.
Vappie is also accused of deleting the messages.
Also included in the indictment was a letter that the feds say Vappie wrote to the mayor in the summer of 2022 when he was part of her security detail.
“I’m in our space and feeling so in love with you,” Vappie wrote. “You got me baby and it feels so good! It’s crazy.”
The indictment claims that Vappie and Cantrell often ate meals and consumed alcohol together while he was on the clock.
Cantrell is also accused of appointing Vappie to the HANO Board, where he attended meetings while on the clock with the NOPD, according to the indictment.
Vappie is also accused of conducting multiple searches online regarding a case where the former mayor of Nashville was accused of having a relationship with her bodyguard. He also is accused of searching “How secure is What’s app?”
The indictment goes on to say that Vappie tried to influence the former interim superintendent of the NOPD. The indictment does not name the interim superintendent, but Michelle Woodfork served in that role during the time Vappie worked with the mayor.
According to the indictment, Vappie is accused of also taking Woodfork to a daiquiri shop to discuss her demotion and “mitigate her disappointment” when she was not promoted.
As previously reported, Cantrell has received subpoenas dating back to a year ago. Her controversial use of the city-owned Pontalba apartment in the French Quarter was stripped by the city council.
The city of New Orleans issued the following statement when the indictment against Vappie came down:
“Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and out of respect for the integrity of the process, we will withhold any comments at this time.”
The New Orleans Police Department issued the following statement at the time the indictment was issued against Vappie:
“Today, former Officer Jeffery Vappie was federally indicted. The NOPD fully cooperates with federal authorities and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability and integrity. We are dedicated to maintaining the trust of our community through transparency and unwavering service. For further details, please refer to the appropriate federal agencies.”
The attorney representing Vappie’s wife in his divorce case said she had no comment.
The Metropolitan Crime Commission issued the following statement last year regarding the indictment against Vappie:
“Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced the federal indictment of former New Orleans Police Officer Jeffrey Vappie, II for seven counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements to the FBI.
“The MCC’s assistance in this matter is acknowledged in the U.S. Attorney’s press release linked below.
“The MCC congratulates the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Louisiana, and the New Orleans Office of Inspector General for their work in obtaining this indictment.”
The New Orleans Police Justice Foundation issued the following statement regarding Jeffrey Vappie’s indictment:
“While the indictment of Officer Vappie does not come as a surprise in light of the ongoing investigation, it should be noted that there are 900 women and men at the NOPD who daily perform their duties with honesty and integrity.
“This indictment should not overshadow the great work of our officers resulting in homicides, shootings, armed robberies and carjackings down at nearly double the national average.”
Inspector accused of bribing mayor:
A former New Orleans inspector has also been indicted and accused of bribing Mayor Cantrell.
Randy Farrell is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services, fraud, wire fraud, and honest services fraud.
According to the indictment, Farrell is accused of bribing Mayor LaToya Cantrell in exchange for a city employee being fired after that employee uncovered an alleged kickback scheme through the Department of Safety and Permits.
According to the indictment, Farrell’s company, IECI, conducted a majority of the city’s third-party inspections.
Farrell is accused of using unlicensed electricians to perform the work and then having IECI inspect and approve the work at the properties under the ruse that licensed electricians had done the work.
When a Department of Safety and Permits employee uncovered the scheme, Farrell and a businessman, which sources tell WDSU is Fouad Zeton, are accused of asking Mayor Cantrell to fire the employee.
Text messages between Farrell and Zeton show that a steak dinner was set up between them and the mayor to discuss getting the employee fired. The dinner cost over $800, and Farrell paid for it, according to the indictment.
The indictment says that Farrell obtained New Orleans Saints and National Championship football tickets for Public Official 1, believed to be Cantrell, and her family in exchange for getting rid of the employee who is listed in the federal indictment as Employee 1.
Sources tell WDSU that Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano is implicated as Public Official 2 in connection with the tickets allegedly received for the bribe.
According to our sources, on Dec. 6, 2019, Montano met with Zeton and a photo was taken with them together. That same day, Farrell bought four tickets to the Saints game, which Zeton then allegedly gave to Montano to use with his family at the game.
Those tickets were paid for by Farrell and a total of $1,160 came from his Chase bank account, according to the indictment.
The indictment goes on to say that Montano also requested tickets to the National Championship Game on Jan. 6, 2020, to which Zeton replied, “consider it done.”
Montano is accused of then following up with Zeton on the status of those tickets, saying he would get them to him.
The indictment states that those tickets cost $3,169 and were paid for by Farrell and allegedly given to Montano.
WDSU reached out to Montano, who said he was “confused and shocked” by the implication.
According to Montano, he has never been contacted by anyone about the indictment and has never met Randy Farrell.
Montano said his goal has been to always make things better and is disappointed by how his role and title has been implicated in the scheme.
Montano said he has always tried to be honest.
It is important to note that Montano is not charged with any crimes nor has he been accused of any crimes.
After the Saints tickets were purchased, Farrell is accused of sending a text to Zeton saying, “Just get to get her out, and we will be Kings with Safety and Permits.”
On Aug. 22, 2019, Farrell received a text from Zeton showing that the employee was no longer employed. Farrell is accused of replying, “THE ***** IS GONE!!!!!”
Zeton is then accused of texting Cantrell, saying, “You are a person of your word, thank you so much for handling safety and permits problem.”
According to the indictment, a supervisor refused to fire the employee who uncovered Farrell’s scheme.
The indictment implicated the mayor, saying she forced the supervisor to terminate the employee.
Farrell’s attorney issued the following statement regarding the indictment:
“Last year, Mr. Farrell took responsibility for IRS problems occurring nearly 10 years ago by means of a plea bargain with the Government, unrelated to the present charges. As a part of the plea bargain with the Government, Mr. Farrell met with Federal authorities to answer questions about the City of New Orleans’ Department of Public Safety.
“Mr. Farrell provided documentation of his payment for a birthday luncheon for the cooperating witness (Businessman #1) and his two nephews at which Public Official #1 was an invited guest of the businessman. The prosecutor now is improperly utilizing this information against Mr. Farewell, alleging it was a bribe. Mr. Farrell did nothing more than complain to city leaders about the dysfunction of the department of Safety and permits, a right he and all citizens have under the First Amendment.
“Allegations of bribery of Public Officials #1, for a luncheon mean and utilization of Saints tickets are too close to the political system.
“The Indictment sensationalizes statements, taken out of context, primarily made by the cooperating witness (Businessman #1) who was a fundraiser and supporter of Public Official #1 and, unfortunately, who had access to Mr. Farrell’s credit card.
“Contrary to allegation in the Indictment, Mr. Farrell is not a public official of the State or the City.
“Mr. Farrell and IECI deny the allegations in the government’s indictment and look forward to defending themselves in Court.”
Eddie Castaing, Mayor Cantrell’s attorney, said she had no comment following Farrell’s indictment.
The City of New Orleans issued the following statement at the time of Farrell’s indictment:
“Out of respect for the courts and the legal process, the City of New Orleans will reserve comment on this matter until its full conclusion.”
This is not the first time Farrell has faced federal charges.
WDSU Investigates learned that Farrell is facing charges, including forgery and conspiracy, in Jefferson Parish. He also pleaded guilty in 2021 to federal tax charges.
Timeline leading up to indictments:
In September 2022 the Metropolitan Crime Commission issued a report shedding light on Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s use of the then-city owned Pontalba apartment.
The MCC issued photos of her entering the apartment, attending gym classes in the French Quarter, and sitting on the balcony.
The report accused the mayor of living at the apartment full-time.
In November 2022, it came to light that one of the mayor’s officers on her security detail, Jeffrey Vappie, was accused of having a relationship with the mayor while also working on her detail.
An investigation was launched by the PIB into the allegations and Vappie was later taken off the mayor’s detail.
Vappie’s timecards would become the center of a PIB investigation. His timecards showed him routinely working more than 16-hour shifts while serving on the mayor’s security team.
Leaked audio from the PIB investigation showed Vappie being grilled on staying at the Pontalba apartments at the same time as the mayor.
A divorce filing from Vappie’s wife alleged that their possible relationship started in 2021.
The PIB’s investigation concluded that Vappie violated NOPD’s professionalism rules and duties, as well as timecard infractions.
A federal judge ruled that the PIB’s investigation violated the consent decree due to the way it was handled.
Some of those violations include:
- Failing to accurately and completely record all allegations against Vappie.
- Failing to give meaningful consideration to circumstantial evidence available to the PIB investigators that could have suggested to a reasonable person that Vappie charged the NOPD for time not worked.
- Failing to take reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of its investigatory materials.
In response to this federal ruling, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick sent Judge Morgan a remedial plan. She promised to improve PIB training and be more transparent with investigations with monitors during the process.
Following the PIB investigation and federal ruling, Vappie was reassigned to the mayor’s security team in January 2023.
Vappie continued on the mayor’s detail until April 25, 2024, when new photos surfaced of Mayor Cantrell and Vappie eating lunch in the French Quarter.
The MCC pressed for an investigation into whether or not the lunch was paid for by the city.
The pictures showed Cantrell and Vappie drinking wine during the lunch. The MCC also questioned whether or not Vappie was on the clock.
In June 2024, it was confirmed that Vappie would be resigning from the NOPD effective June 29.
He had been with the department since 1997.
READ MORE:City of New Orleans issues statement on behalf of mayor following federal indictment
