On Friday, Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans was officially charged with serious criminal offenses related to her personal relationship with a city police officer, who was assigned to her protection. This indictment follows a thorough federal investigation into allegations of corruption that has overshadowed Ms. Cantrell’s final term in office, which concludes in January. Both Cantrell and her former bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, are facing a total of 18 felony counts. The charges include making false statements to a grand jury, obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and conspiracy.
The indictment highlights the prosecution of two public officials accused of engaging in a prolonged fraud scheme that misused public funds for personal gain. Michael M. Simpson, the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, stated during a news conference, “They perpetuated that fraud scheme by taking steps to keep individuals silent, deceive subordinates, and obstruct investigations into their relationship.” This underscores the depth of the corruption charges against both Cantrell and Vappie.
Ms. Cantrell’s legal representative, Edward Castaing, confirmed the indictment but refrained from commenting on its specifics. Meanwhile, Vappie’s attorney has yet to respond to requests for comment. This is not Vappie's first brush with the law; over a year ago, he was charged with defrauding taxpayers by collecting more than $7,000 while allegedly on duty but spending personal time with Ms. Cantrell.
The charges against Cantrell add to an already tumultuous year for New Orleans, which began with a deadly terrorist attack on New Year’s Day. However, the city also marked significant achievements, such as successfully hosting a Super Bowl for the first time in a decade and witnessing a decline in its murder rate.
The indictment details the personal relationship between Ms. Cantrell and Mr. Vappie, which reportedly began when Vappie was assigned to protect the mayor in May 2021. Their intimate relationship took shape roughly five months later, with Vappie accompanying Cantrell on multiple out-of-state trips. The trips, which included destinations like Los Angeles, Orlando, and even Scotland, cost the city over $70,000 in airfare, meals, and Vappie’s salary, as he claimed to be on duty during these travels.
From February to October 2022, the couple exchanged more than 15,000 messages on WhatsApp, many of which were deleted to conceal their affair. The indictment notes that they referred to a city-owned property as “our apartment.” Despite media scrutiny and the reassignment of Vappie following reports of their public appearances together, he was reinstated as Cantrell’s bodyguard in June 2023 at her direction.
This scandal marks a significant moment in New Orleans history, as Ms. Cantrell becomes only the second mayor in recent times to face prosecution for corruption while in office. The first was former Mayor C. Ray Nagin, who was charged in 2013 with multiple counts, including conspiracy and bribery linked to a widespread kickback scheme.
The charges against Ms. Cantrell highlight the chaos that has characterized her administration. Since taking office in 2018 as the first Black woman elected to lead a majority-Black city, her leadership style has drawn mixed reactions. While she initially garnered support for her responsive approach to residents' concerns, her popularity waned following her re-election in 2021.
New Orleans faced rising crime rates, specifically a surge in murders, which became the highest in the nation. Additionally, the morale within the police department plummeted, and the city struggled with increasing utility bills and deteriorating infrastructure. These issues sparked a recall campaign against her, exposing the discontent among residents.
In recent months, Mayor Cantrell has reduced her public appearances and has not conducted regular news conferences. Her absence from the spotlight has been noticeable, especially during critical moments that have drawn national attention, such as after the New Year’s Day attack in which an armed individual drove a truck into a crowded area of Bourbon Street, resulting in numerous casualties.
As New Orleans grapples with the implications of these charges against its mayor, the future of the city’s leadership remains uncertain amidst ongoing corruption investigations and public discontent.
