New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Bodyguard Charged with Fraud

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, have been indicted on charges of fraud and corruption for allegedly using city resources to support their romantic relationship. The accusations detail misuse of funds for personal trips while Vappie claimed to be on duty.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, are facing serious legal troubles as they have been charged with fraud and corruption. The allegations stem from claims that they used public funds to support an intimate relationship that began in October 2021 while Vappie was part of Cantrell's security detail. Both individuals stand accused of falsely reporting that Vappie was on duty during numerous personal trips, which included domestic and international travel.

Federal prosecutors indicated that the duo allegedly exchanged thousands of messages via the secure messaging platform WhatsApp, utilizing its auto-delete feature to evade detection of their activities. According to the charges, this tactic was employed to conceal their relationship and the extensive fraudulent activities associated with it. Among the accusations is the claim that they treated a taxpayer-funded, city-owned apartment as their private residence, taking time together while Vappie was supposedly fulfilling his duty as Cantrell's protector.

In addition to personal excursions, the pair reportedly traveled to a vineyard in California for wine tasting while Vappie was still on the clock, which rang up a bill of approximately $70,000. While Cantrell previously defended her choice to have a bodyguard accompany her for safety reasons due to the coronavirus pandemic, the prosecutors dispute this rationale, citing instances of Cantrell traveling solo.

U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson stated that although the relationship itself may not be a criminal offense, it reflects a broader fraud scheme that exploited public resources for personal needs. Furthermore, they have been charged with intimidating subordinates, misleading FBI investigators, and lying to a grand jury.

Should they be convicted, the pair could face significant penalties, including potential prison time up to several years and fines reaching $250,000. Cantrell, a member of the Democratic Party and New Orleans' first female mayor, has been in office since 2018 and is set to leave her position in January.