What's inside Mayor LaToya Cantrell's federal indictment
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Mayor LaToya Cantrell had a meal on the balcony of Tableau with NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie, who was a member of her security detail at the time. The photos were reportedly taken April 7. Photo: Courtesy of MCC
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's historic indictment outlines what federal officials describe as a years-long scheme to defraud the city and its police department.
Why it matters: Despite the city's long reputation for corruption, Cantrell became its first mayor to face criminal charges while in office.
- "We go after law breakers, and especially in this city, public corruption has crippled us for years and years," acting U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Louisiana Michael Simpson said Friday. "It is extremely significant to act when the evidence demands it, and that's what we're doing."
- A statement from Cantrell's office 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."
The big picture: Cantrell and her accused romantic partner, former New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffrey Vappie, each face a series of fraud, obstruction of justice and false statement charges that federal attorneys say unspooled over nearly three years.
- Cantrell's 11 charges include one each for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice; two for making a false declaration before a grand jury; and six for wire fraud.
- Vappie faces 15 charges, including one each for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making a false statement to the FBI, as well as twelve counts of wire fraud.
- Each charge carries a maximum sentence of between five and 20 years in prison, in addition to some fines. The legal battle is likely to play out largely after Cantrell leaves office in January, and it's not likely she would face a maximum sentence.
Zoom in: The 44-page indictment lays out the federal government's argument that Cantrell and Vappie "exploited their public authority and positions" after beginning a romantic relationship in October 2021, Simpson said.
- From then until Vappie's NOPD retirement in June 2024, the pair exploited their city roles to ensure Vappie's salary and expenses were paid while he "engaged in personal activities, usually with Ms. Cantrell, but sometimes alone, in the Pontalba apartment," Simpson said, referring to the city-owned property at the heart of one of the mayor's long power struggles with City Council.
- The indictment outlines "the many steps that Cantrell and Vappie took to hide their scheme and to perpetuate their continued fraud," Simpson said. Its pages reference more than 15,000 WhatsApp messages and accuse the pair of making false statements to federal officials, "intimidating subordinates; harassing a citizen; lying to colleagues and associates [and] deleting evidence," a press release says.
- In total, the indictment says, the "scheme" cost the city more than $70,000 as Vappie accompanied Cantrell on at least 14 domestic and international trips "to maximize their time together."
Here's a closer look at some of what federal investigators found, as outlined in the indictment:
📲 "Don't let this be your path:" In an early April 2022 text message, a Cantrell associate texted her a stern warning that "it is A FELONY to have your lover be paid to work and have his travel paid for by the city," and cited the charges faced by a Nashville mayor who was caught having an affair with her police bodyguard.
- "Please don't let this be your path, LaToya!!!" the text continued.
💍 Romantic relationship unfolds: The indictment maintains that a romantic relationship between Cantrell and Vappie — both of whom were married at the time federal attorneys say it began — was the primary motivating factor in ensuring the pair spent time together.
- In screenshots of the pair's private messages, Cantrell sent Vappie photos of what appears to be her hand asking "did you tell [redacted] you put a ring on it?"
🍷 Trip to Napa: In April 2022, the indictment says, Cantrell attended an environmental law conference in San Francisco, accompanied by Vappie.
- The pair extended that trip by a day to attend Napa wineries, Simpson said Friday. "While Vappie was wine tasting on April 9, 2022, he ... was in fact paid for a 15-hour workday," Simpson said.
- The trip cost the city more than $9,000, including $1,639.68 in salary and overtime for Vappie, the documents say.
✈️ Traveling solo: Though Cantrell justified her police detail as a matter of safety both in the press and with federal investigators, she continued to travel on her own, Simpson said.
- "In fact, on the same day she gave one such statement [Sept. 13, 2022], she canceled a work trip to Miami, and instead traveled alone by plane, then bus, then ferry" to Martha's Vineyard, Simpson said, where Vappie was attending a conference paid for by the city related to his role on the HANO Board of Commissioners.
🚔 Woodfork ousted: As scrutiny increased over Vappie and Cantrell's relationship, the NOPD conducted its own internal investigation into Vappie's conduct.
- When that investigation found Vappie had committed misconduct, Simpson said, Cantrell "improperly" pressured then-interim NOPD superintendent Michelle Woodfork to overrule the finding and reinstate Vappie's role on her police detail.
- About three months later and days before Anne Kirkpatrick was named to the job, Cantrell told Woodfork she wouldn't be getting the permanent NOPD chief title.
What's next: The investigation is ongoing, Simpson said, adding that he can't rule out additional charges or defendants in the future.