Cantrell Indicted for Defrauding the City Over Personal Relationship

A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on charges tied to defrauding the city while pursuing a yearslong romantic relationship with a member of her security detail, according to prosecutors. Cantrell, who is completing her second term and is term-limited to leave office in January, faces a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements and a false declaration before a grand jury. Prosecutors allege that Cantrell and the officer exploited their public positions to conceal the relationship and to maximize time together, including paying the officer as if he were on duty during personal trips and private meetings.

The indictment portrays a three-year scheme in which Cantrell and the officer, Jeffrey Vappie II, developed a personal relationship and used official mechanisms to hide it. Court filings describe a pattern of travel and personal activities conducted under the pretense of work, with Vappie claimed to be on duty while in fact accompanying the mayor on private trips. Prosecutors say Cantrell arranged for Vappie to attend multiple trips under city payroll, and that she misled investigators about the...