The mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, and her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, have been indicted on charges of fraud and corruption over allegations that they misused public funds to support an alleged romantic relationship.
Prosecutors reported on Friday that Cantrell began a “personal, intimate relationship” with Vappie in October 2021, while he was serving on her security team. They are accused of falsely asserting that Vappie was on duty during periods when they were actually engaged in personal activities, including on 14 different domestic and international trips, from that time until his retirement in June 2024.
Prosecuting attorney claims that bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie was compensated as if he were on duty while he and Cantrell were actually spending time together in private residences and touring vineyards. They concealed their communications by using encrypted messages on WhatsApp and subsequently deleting them. While both have maintained that their relationship was purely professional, the indictment characterized it as “personal and intimate.”
Vappie was currently facing accusations of wire fraud and providing misleading information. He has entered a plea of not guilty. On Friday, a grand jury issued an 18-count indictment that included Cantrell in the case.
Vappie reflected in a WhatsApp conversation referenced in the legal complaint about his trip to Scotland in October 2021 with Cantrell, mentioning that it was “where it all began.”
Cantrell had informed local journalists that she required a security team “because of COVID,” asserting that her travel arrangements were “about safety, not luxury.”
The following year, instead of attending a conference in Miami, authorities claimed that the duo met up on Martha’s Vineyard. Vappie’s trip to the island was funded by the city for him to participate in a different conference.
The City of New Orleans issued a statement stating that it was aware of the indictment and that the mayor’s attorney was reviewing it.
