Mayor LaToya Cantrell, the embattled Democratic leader of New Orleans, was reportedly indicted Friday on federal charges that prosecutors say stem from a scheme to conceal a romantic relationship with a city police officer while defrauding taxpayers.
The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, accuses Ms. Cantrell of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements, and making false declarations before a grand jury.
Prosecutors allege that from May 2021 to April 2024, Ms. Cantrell maintained a romantic relationship with Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, an officer in the New Orleans Police Department’s executive protection unit.
According to the filing, the mayor and Mr. Vappie “exploited their public positions to develop and implement a scheme to defraud the city of New Orleans and the New Orleans Police Department by engaging in personal activities while Vappie claimed to be on duty and was paid for.”
The indictment asserts that the arrangement was designed both to “hide their relations from detection” and to “maximize their time together,” suggesting an abuse of official positions for personal gain.
Shortly after the charges became public, a lawyer for Ms. Cantrell told NBC News they had not yet reviewed the indictment and therefore had no comment.
City Council President JP Morrell issued a measured statement, offering sympathy for the mayor’s family while acknowledging the gravity of the day’s events. “This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cantrell family as they navigate through this difficult time.”
The charges are the latest and most serious challenge to Ms. Cantrell’s leadership, which has been marked by controversy throughout her tenure.
First elected in 2018 as the city’s first female mayor in its 300-year history, she entered her second term facing both mounting public dissatisfaction and political headwinds.
In 2022, she survived a recall effort that underscored deep frustration among residents over crime rates, city services, and her handling of personal and official matters. While her administration has attempted to project stability, critics have argued that she has struggled to separate public responsibilities from private interests.
Ms. Cantrell’s current term — her last under the city’s charter — is set to end in January. Even before the indictment, her final year in office had been shadowed by political speculation and concern over the city’s direction.
The federal charges now raise questions about whether she will be able to serve out the remainder of her term, or if New Orleans will see an early change in leadership.
For many residents, the indictment is seen as emblematic of broader concerns about accountability in city government. The allegations, if proven, suggest that taxpayer resources — already strained in a city with chronic infrastructure and crime problems — were misused for personal benefit.
As the legal process unfolds, Ms. Cantrell faces the most formidable test of her political career — one that will determine not only her legacy, but also the public’s trust in the city’s highest office.
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