New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on federal conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction charges, accused of hiding a romantic relationship with her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie.
“Public corruption has crippled us for years and years,” Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said. “And this is extremely significant.”
Prosecutors claim Cantrell and Vappie used encrypted apps to hide their communications, deleted messages, and used city funds for private time, including 14 trips where Simpson says they were “truly alone.”
“They developed a personal and intimate relationship,” the indictment reads. “Cantrell and Vappie exploited their public positions.”
Cantrell, who cannot seek re-election, allegedly misled investigators by claiming she used an automatic message deletion function in 2021. Simpson says she didn’t activate it until December 2022 after media speculation.
When a private citizen photographed them dining and drinking wine, Cantrell responded by filing a police report and requesting a restraining order.
Vappie, already indicted on wire fraud and false statement charges, pleaded not guilty. Cantrell hasn’t commented publicly. Her allies argue she’s being targeted unfairly.
“It’s irrelevant that it’s romance or that it’s female,” Simpson said. “This is an incredible betrayal of people’s confidence.”
Council president JP Morrell’s spokesperson called it “a sad day for the people of New Orleans.”
Cantrell, once seen as a trailblazer, now exits office isolated and under federal scrutiny.
