New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on multiple federal charges, including fraud and obstruction of justice.
She is alleged to have misused public funds while attempting to conceal an “intimate” relationship with her former bodyguard.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced on Aug. 15 that Cantrell, 53, and former New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffrey Vappie, 52, were named in a superseding indictment totaling 18 counts. Prosecutors allege the pair defrauded the City of New Orleans and its police department through a scheme tied to personal activities disguised as official duties.
According to the indictment, Cantrell and Vappie allegedly coordinated their schedules to spend time together at a city-owned apartment and arranged at least 14 domestic and international trips “to maximize their time together.” Court documents claim the City of New Orleans paid more than $70,000 in travel expenses for Vappie, who was listed as being “on duty” during the trips.
Prosecutors say Cantrell is now facing six counts of wire fraud, one count of obstruction of justice, and two counts of making false declarations before a grand jury. Vappie, already under indictment, faces additional charges, including wire fraud and making false statements.
Cantrell, the first woman elected mayor of New Orleans in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, has not issued a public statement in response to the indictment.
A city spokesperson acknowledged awareness of the case but said officials would withhold further comment until the mayor’s legal team reviews the charges.
Local leaders have expressed concern over the indictment. A spokesperson for City Councilman Jean-Paul Morrell described the development as “a sad day for the people of New Orleans,” while extending “thoughts and prayers” to the mayor’s family.
Cantrell’s current term is set to conclude on January 12, 2026. The case adds to mounting scrutiny of her administration and could significantly impact the city’s political future.
