The mayor of New Orleans has been charged with fraud and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors say she and a bodyguard tried to hide an “intimate” relationship while using public funds for personal activities.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell, 53, and Jeffrey Vappie, 52, face a total of 18 charges in a superseding indictment, according to an Aug. 15 announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana.
Cantrell, the first woman to serve as New Orleans mayor, elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, is accused of a “scheme to defraud the City of New Orleans” and its police department. Vappie, a former New Orleans Police Department officer on her executive protection team, allegedly spent personal time with her while claiming to be “on duty,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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The indictment also says the two “coordinated to spend time together” at a city-owned apartment while Vappie was supposed to be working, arranged “14 domestic and international trips to maximize their time together,” and knew their actions were illegal. The city allegedly paid over $70,000 for his travel during these trips.
Vappie was already facing charges for making false statements and wire fraud, according to the Associated Press. The new indictment adds Cantrell to the case, charging her with six counts of wire fraud, one count of obstruction of justice, and two counts of making a false declaration before a grand jury.
The city and mayor’s office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE for comment on Saturday, Aug. 16. Cantrell has not made a public statement.
A city spokesperson told the AP that it is aware of the indictment. “Until [the mayor’s attorney] review is complete, the city will not comment further on this matter,” the statement said.
City Councilman Jean-Paul Morrell’s spokesperson told Fox News that it is “a sad day for the people of New Orleans.” He added, “Thoughts and prayers are with the Cantrell family as they navigate through this difficult time.”
Cantrell’s current term ends on Jan. 12, 2026.
The indictment details how Cantrell and Vappie tried to “hide their scheme and continue their fraud.” They allegedly used WhatsApp to communicate, made “false statements to FBI agents,” and committed perjury before a federal grand jury.
Their “personal, intimate relationship” goes back to at least October 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. News of the relationship surfaced in November 2022, and prosecutors say the “scheme” lasted until Vappie retired in June 2024.
Vappie reportedly “lied about the nature and circumstances of his relationship” when questioned by the FBI in 2023. Cantrell is accused of hiding messages, including deleted WhatsApp chats, from the grand jury.
If convicted, the two could face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, up to 20 years for each wire fraud count, and up to 20 years for conspiracy to obstruct justice, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Additionally, Vappie could face five years for making false statements to the FBI. Cantrell could face up to 20 years for each obstruction of justice count and up to five years for each count of making false statements to a grand jury. They may also face fines of up to $250,000 per count.
