Mayor LaToya Cantrell barred from international travel as fraud case moves forward
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Mayor LaToya Cantrell arrives at her arraignment at the Hale Boggs federal building. Photo: Christiana Botic/Verite News and Catchlight Local/Report for America
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is not allowed to travel out of the country as she awaits trial on multiple federal charges, writes Katie Jane Fernelius with Verite.
Why it matters: Cantrell and her former NOPD bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie are accused of defrauding the city of more than $70,000 related to travel expenses.
The big picture: In her initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby on Wednesday, Cantrell pleaded not guilty to 11 criminal counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
- Roby released her without bail, Fernelius writes, but the mayor has to surrender her passport.
- She's allowed to travel freely within 13 parishes in Southeast Louisiana. However, she'll need the court's permission to go anywhere farther, Verite says.
- Roby also said Cantrell was not allowed to be in contact with Vappie, according to the AP.
Zoom in: Attorney Eddie Castaing and city spokesperson Terry Davis were with Cantrell when she entered the courthouse, Fernelius writes.
- Cantrell and Davis did not talk with reporters before or after the arraignment, according to Verite and the AP.
- However, Castaing told Jack Brook with the AP that he thinks the case "won't impede any of the city operations."
- The city put out a statement Wednesday saying the administration won't be commenting on the charges.
Catch up quick: The federal prosecutors accuse Cantrell and Vappie of having the city and NOPD pay for his salary and expenses when he was spending personal time with Cantrell but claiming to be on duty.
- The relationship isn't the crime, said Michael Simpson, the acting U.S attorney for the eastern district of Louisiana. However, two public officials engaging in a years-long scheme to use public money for personal gain is a crime, he said at a press conference last month.
- The personal relationship and the scheme started in October 2021 and ended at Vappie's retirement in June 2024, according to the court documents.
- Cantrell and Vappie have previously denied having a romantic relationship. They have not commented on the most recent charges.
Zoom in: Cantrell faces 11 charges and Vappie faces 15.
- Each charge carries a maximum sentence of between five and 20 years in prison, in addition to some fines.
What's next: Cantrell's case now moves into the standard legal proceedings — discovery, pretrial motions and possibly plea negotiations.
- She's unlikely to go to trial before her term ends in January 2026, legal experts say.