New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is facing serious legal trouble after being indicted on federal charges linked to an alleged illicit relationship with a taxpayer-funded bodyguard. The indictment, unsealed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, accuses Cantrell of conspiring with former police officer Jeffrey Vappie to defraud the city of more than $70,000.
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The 18-count indictment charges both Cantrell, 53, and Vappie with conspiracy, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. Prosecutors allege that the mayor and the former officer developed an “intimate relationship” in late 2021 and misused their positions to spend extensive time together while billing taxpayers for travel and protection services.
According to federal investigators, Vappie accompanied Cantrell on at least 14 trips, including visits to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and even Scotland. While on these trips, prosecutors say Vappie filed time sheets claiming he was performing official security duties when he was, in fact, engaging in personal activities. The total cost to the city exceeded $70,000, separate from the mayor’s official travel expenses.
“This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans,” said a spokesperson for City Councilman JP Morrell in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cantrell family as they navigate through this difficult time.”
Councilman Joe Giarrusso also urged caution, writing on social media, “Everyone is presumed innocent under the law. Mayor Cantrell deserves that presumption. We should let the facts play out and not rush to judgment.”
Court documents detail how Cantrell and Vappie allegedly tried to conceal their relationship. The indictment cites messages exchanged between the two on WhatsApp, including one in which Cantrell sent Vappie a photo of a ring with the caption, “Hey did you tell [them] you put a ring on it?” In another message, she reportedly wrote, “The times when we are truly alone (traveling) is what spoils me the most.”
Prosecutors also claim Cantrell attempted to cover up evidence by deleting messages, enabling disappearing-message settings, and withholding more than 50 photos from her personal devices. She is accused of lying under oath to a federal grand jury about turning over all requested material.
The relationship reportedly played out at the historic Pontalba Apartments in the French Quarter, a city-owned property traditionally reserved for hosting official guests and events. Instead, prosecutors allege that Vappie often spent time there with Cantrell while on the clock as part of the mayor’s Executive Protection Unit.
Concerns about the relationship were raised early on. The indictment reveals that an associate warned Cantrell directly, writing, “It is A FELONY to have your lover be paid to work and have his travel paid for by the city… Please don’t let this be your path LaToya!!!”
The controversy has already stirred deep divisions within the city. Some residents see it as another blow to public trust in government, while others emphasize the importance of due process. For now, Cantrell continues to serve as mayor, but the indictment could have lasting consequences for both her political future and the city’s reputation.
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