In a significant development in New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell, alongside her bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie, has been formally charged with fraud and corruption. Prosecutors allege that the duo engaged in a personal relationship, diverting public funds to finance what they described as a “years-long fraud scheme” during which Vappie falsely claimed to be on duty while he was in fact involved in personal activities with Cantrell.
From the onset of their relationship in October 2021 until his expected retirement in June 2024, Vappie is accused of misreporting his status while accompanying Cantrell on at least 14 domestic and international trips. These allegedly included vacations that were disguised as work-related duties, such as a highly publicized visit to a vineyard in California, billed to the city at a cost of $70,000.
While Cantrell has maintained that her actions stemmed from safety concerns during the Covid pandemic, prosecutors have labeled this justification as misleading. US Attorney Michael Simpson emphasized the unlawful nature of their actions, highlighting the misuse of authority to exploit taxpayer money.
Compounding the charges, prosecutors assert that the pair utilized WhatsApp's auto-delete feature to conceal thousands of messages pertaining to their relationship, effectively obstructing justice. There are also allegations of witness intimidation, false statements made to the FBI, and perjury before a grand jury, each carrying serious legal implications.
If found guilty, both Cantrell and Vappie face multi-year prison sentences, along with potential fines that could reach up to $250,000. As the first female mayor serving in New Orleans' rich history since 2018, Cantrell’s tenure is now marred by these serious legal accusations.
