New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell indicted in federal corruption case over alleged scheme with bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie and misuse of city funds.

Published Time: 08-16-2025, 14:20

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, the first woman ever elected to lead the city, was indicted Friday on federal charges alleging a yearslong scheme to conceal a personal relationship with her police bodyguard. Prosecutors say Cantrell and the officer used city funds and resources to facilitate private meetings and personal travel.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury, comes less than five months before Cantrell’s term ends due to term limits. She now becomes the first sitting mayor in New Orleans’ 300-year history to face criminal charges while in office.

Allegations of Fraud and Misuse of Public Funds

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson, Cantrell faces charges of conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction of justice. The case centers on her alleged relationship with former police officer Jeffrey Vappie, who was assigned as her security detail.

Prosecutors allege that while on duty, Vappie was paid by the city even as he and Cantrell spent time together in private apartments or traveled for personal outings. Between 2019 and 2023, taxpayers allegedly covered more than $70,000 in travel expenses linked to Vappie, including trips arranged so that he and Cantrell could be “truly alone,” Simpson said.

“This is extremely significant,” Simpson told reporters. “Public corruption has crippled Louisiana for years, and this case represents an incredible betrayal of public trust.”

WhatsApp Messages and Deleted Records

Court filings detail how Cantrell and Vappie allegedly exchanged over 15,000 messages through the encrypted messaging app WhatsApp. Prosecutors say the two deliberately used the app to avoid detection, later deleting conversations that could have been used as evidence.

In one exchange, cited by the indictment, Vappie recalled traveling with Cantrell to Scotland in October 2021, describing it as the moment “where it all started.”

Prosecutors also allege that Cantrell lied under oath about when she activated a feature on her phone to automatically delete messages. According to Simpson, she claimed the function was enabled in 2021, but records show it was not activated until late 2022—after news outlets began reporting on her relationship with Vappie.

Vineyard Trip and Martha’s Vineyard Allegations

Among the incidents outlined in the indictment is a 2022 trip to Martha’s Vineyard, which Cantrell allegedly chose instead of attending a scheduled conference in Miami. Prosecutors say Vappie’s travel to the island was funded by the city under the pretext of attending a different conference.

In WhatsApp messages that September, Cantrell reportedly wrote to Vappie: “The times when we are truly traveling is what spoils me the most.”

Confrontations With Citizens and Law Enforcement

The indictment also accuses Cantrell of attempting to silence critics. In one instance, when a private citizen photographed her and Vappie dining together, Cantrell filed a police report and sought a restraining order against the individual.

Simpson added that the pair engaged in efforts to harass a citizen, delete evidence, mislead FBI agents, and ultimately commit perjury before a federal grand jury.

City Response and Political Fallout

The City of New Orleans issued a brief statement acknowledging awareness of the indictment, noting that Cantrell’s legal team is reviewing the charges. “Until his review is complete, the City will not comment further on this matter,” the statement read.

Cantrell herself has not commented publicly since the indictment. Her official social media accounts have been inactive since mid-July, when she last posted about declining crime rates in New Orleans.

The mayor has consistently denied having an inappropriate relationship with Vappie, maintaining that their interactions were strictly professional.

History of Corruption Cases in New Orleans

Louisiana has a long and well-documented history of political corruption, with New Orleans often at the center. In 2014, former mayor Ray Nagin was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for bribery, money laundering, and fraud during his two terms in office.

The indictment of Cantrell, however, is particularly significant because it marks the first time a sitting mayor of New Orleans has been charged while in office.

Political Challenges and Legacy Questions

Cantrell, a Democrat, has faced a turbulent second term marked by clashes with the City Council, a failed recall effort in 2022, and mounting criticism from both political opponents and former allies. Voter-approved changes to the city charter have also reduced her executive authority.

Her supporters argue that Cantrell has been unfairly targeted as a Black woman in politics, subjected to scrutiny and standards not equally applied to her male predecessors. Prosecutors, however, dismissed those claims.

“It’s irrelevant that it’s romance or that it’s female,” Simpson said. “The issue is public trust, and the allegations here reflect a betrayal of that trust.”

What Comes Next

Cantrell is scheduled to appear in federal court in the coming weeks. If convicted, she could face significant prison time and financial penalties. Vappie, who retired from the police department in 2024, has pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and making false statements.

For many residents, the case underscores a painful cycle of corruption scandals that have long plagued Louisiana politics. City Council President JP Morrell, through spokesperson Monet Brignac, said: “This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans.”

Cantrell’s final months in office are now likely to be overshadowed by court proceedings, further complicating her legacy as New Orleans’ first female mayor.