New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell indicted
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday on federal charges related to what prosecutors say was a scheme to defraud the city of more than $70,000 as part of her personal relationship with her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie.
Why it matters: She's the city's first mayor to be indicted while in office.
The big picture: Vappie, a former NOPD officer, was also indicted Friday.
- The two are accused of exploiting his job and her authority to have the city and NOPD pay for his salary and expenses when he was spending personal time with Cantrell but claiming to be on duty, according to Michael Simpson, the acting U.S attorney for the eastern district of Louisiana.
- The activities include 14 domestic and international trips in which Vappie accompanied her for security, Simpson says.
- The personal relationship and the alleged scheme started in October 2021 and ended at Vappie's retirement in June 2024, according to the court documents.
What they're saying: A statement from Cantrell's office late Friday says her attorney Eddie Castaing is still reviewing the indictment. "Until his review is complete," the statement says, "the City will not comment further on this matter."
- Cantrell and Vappie have both previously denied allegations they are romantically involved.
- Previously, Cantrell said that as the city's first female mayor and as a Black woman, she faces more intense scrutiny and has been held to different standards than her predecessors.
Zoom in: Vappie was indicted last year and was accused of falsifying timesheets, lying to the FBI and taking other actions to conceal his romantic relationship with Cantrell.
- He and Cantrell hired separate criminal defense attorneys last year amid the federal investigations.
Between the lines: Vappie's wife filed for divorce in January 2023 and accused him of having an affair with Cantrell in the documents, Fox 8 reported at the time.
- Cantrell's husband, Jason, died in August 2023 from a heart attack. They were a month shy of 24 years of marriage.
State of play: Cantrell has been dogged by scandals since she was elected in 2018.
- The Democrat says many of the controversies are Republican-led attacks.
- Along with the alleged affair, other political tussles include a state ethics investigation into her international travel, the City Council evicting her from a city-owned apartment, and a stalking lawsuit she filed against a woman who took pictures of her and Vappie. (A judge dismissed the stalking case.)
- She also was the target of a failed recall effort last year.
What's next: Cantrell and Vappie will be arraigned and enter their plea, Simpson says.
- They can then make a plea deal or head to court on the charges.
- Cantrell ends her term in office in January 2026.
Go deeper:
- Mayor Cantrell's scandals, explained.
- LaToya Cantrell to get locked out of Pontalba apartment, ending city scandal.
- With indictment, Cantrell joins Louisiana's notorious political history
Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.