Democrat New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted on federal charges on Friday.
A federal grand jury indicted Cantrell and former New Orleans Police officer Jeffrey Vappie after an investigation by the FBI.
Details of the indictment are forthcoming.
WVUE reported:
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury on Friday, August 15, marking the first time in the city’s history that a sitting mayor is facing criminal prosecution.
The mayor’s legal troubles come after more than two years of mounting criticism including; an alleged romantic relationship involving her former executive security officer, a legal battle with a New Orleans resident who took photos of the alleged relationship, a legal battle with New orleans Public Schools over a broken multi-million dollar funding promise, the indictment of a former city inspector who allegedly bribed her with Saints tickets, and frequent travel amid an ongoing jail escape and in the aftermath of a mass power outage.
Details of the indictment have not yet been released at this time.
Last year it was reported that LaToya Cantrell was under FBI investigation for allegations of an ‘ongoing adulterous affair’ with Jeffrey Vappie, the former head of her police detail, and potential misuse of taxpayer funds, according to the Daily Mail.
The FBI scrutinized the mayor’s actions, including her time spent with Vappie on city property and during personal trips funded by the government.
Security footage has allegedly captured Mayor Cantrell and Vappie spending extensive periods together in a city-owned apartment during work hours, raising questions about the nature of their relationship.
This revelation comes amidst an investigation into Vappie’s work hours and activities.
In 2023, Vappie was accused of multiple incidents of timesheet discrepancies while serving on Mayor Cantrell’s security detail. This accusation partly stemmed from WVUE-TV’s reports on the mayor’s use of an Upper Pontalba apartment on Jackson Square. In response, the City Council prohibited the mayor from using the apartment as a personal residence.
According to the New Orleans Advocate, the investigation by the New Orleans Police Department concluded that Vappie breached departmental regulations by logging 18 hours of work in a single day. Additionally, he was cited for spending “numerous hours” in the company of Mayor Cantrell beyond his scheduled duty hours, and for participating in two board meetings as the mayor’s appointee on the Board of the Housing Authority of New Orleans.
The allegations have been fueled by Danielle Vappie’s divorce filings, which imply an affair between her husband and Cantrell dating back in May 2021, coinciding with the start of Vappie’s tenure on Cantrell’s security detail.
Cantrell was previously under fire for spending more than $30,000 of taxpayer money to fly first class to Europe.
Cantrell argued the first class flights were for her safety as a black woman and to protect her from Covid.
This is a breaking story…please check back for updates.
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