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S at u r d ay, au g u S t 16, 2025
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INDICTED
Cantrell faces charges of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction Mayor accused of hiding relationship with bodyguard
STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
The indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, pictured here at a July 30 news conference, and her bodyguard alleges that the pair engaged in a yearslong conspiracy to spend public money on travel during a romantic relationship and then tried to cover it all up. BY JAMES FINN Staff writer
A federal grand jury returned a criminal indictment Friday against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, accusing the mayor of pursuing an illicit affair with her police bodyguard on taxpayers’ dime, then lying to federal officials and deleting evidence to hide the relationship. The indictment returned at New Orleans’ federal courthouse accuses Cantrell of 11 counts includ-
ing wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to a federal grand jury — all part of the alleged yearslong scheme to hide her relationship with Jeffrey Vappie, the former New Orleans Police officer assigned to protect her. The two face 18 counts total. Prosecutors secured the charges against Cantrell through a superseding indictment in their ongoing prosecution of Vappie, who was initially charged last summer with wire fraud and false statement counts in the same alleged
INSIDE ä See a timeline on investigation into Cantrell’s actions. Page 6A ä Breaking down the 18 charges against Cantrell,Vappie. Page 7A scheme. Vappie faces additional charges under the new indictment. Prosecutors in the new 44-page indictment describe Vappie and Cantrell deleting WhatsApp messages, lying to FBI agents and “intimidating” subordinates as they
tried to erase signs of their amorous relationship — including trips to a Napa Valley, California, winery and Martha’s Vineyard — during periods when both claimed to be on official duty. “This indictment does not allege Vappie that a relationship constitutes a crime,” said Michael Simpson, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Loui-
siana, at a news conference Friday afternoon. “Rather, it reflects the prosecution of two public officials alleged to have engaged in a yearslong, continuing fraud scheme that used public money for personal ends, by exploiting their power and their authority.” Cantrell’s press staff issued a brief statement late Friday saying that her attorney, Eddie Castaing, is “thoroughly reviewing” the indictment. The administration de-
ä See INDICTED, page 6A
On ‘sad day,’ city leaders vow to move forward BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer
Public officials and political watchers lamented the harsh spotlight that shone on New Orleans Friday after Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury, with many calling it a sad day in a city forever battling a reputation for mismanagement. In interviews, social media posts and other statements, many members STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER of the city’s political class — including the three major candidates running Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson, left, talks about the to replace Cantrell — struck somber indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Friday. notes. With a mayoral election less
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than two months away, some emphasized that it was important to remain focused on moving the city forward. Others cautioned against any rush to judgment, noting that Cantrell should have her day in court. “This unfortunately will be sensationalized because it involves the mayor and will further impede the city’s operations,” City Council member Joe Giarrusso said. “We should, however, let the facts play out and not rush to judgment.” Federal prosecutors secured an 18-count indictment against Cantrell and her bodyguard, former New Or-
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leans police Officer Jeffrey Vappie, alleging that they spent taxpayer money on a secret romantic relationship and then tried to cover it up. Through a city spokesperson, Cantrell declined to comment on the charges. Vappie pleaded not guilty last year to related charges but did not respond to requests for comment on the latest indictment. Candidates vying to replace Cantrell emphasized Friday that they want to restore competence to City Hall. A spokesperson for City Council Vice
ä See LEADERS, page 7A
13TH yEAR, NO. 4