ANAMBRA POLICE ACTION ON THE CULT CLASH THAT RESULTED IN THE FATAL INJURY OF FOUR PERSONS AT AFOR NAWFIA MARKET. (PHOTO). #PRESS RELEASE
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday on federal charges accusing her of defrauding the city while attempting to conceal a romantic relationship with a police officer, according to prosecutors.
Cantrell faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements, and false declaration before a grand jury, as detailed in an indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Prosecutors say Cantrell was romantically involved with Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, who served on the New Orleans Police Department's executive protection unit from May 2021 to April 2024.
The indictment alleges that Cantrell and Vappie exploited their public positions to spend time together while Vappie was paid for on-duty work, engaging in a scheme that defrauded both the city and the police department. Vappie was also charged with wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
Federal authorities said the pair exchanged roughly 15,000 messages, pictures, and audio clips over eight months via WhatsApp, using the platform to intimidate subordinates, harass a citizen, delete evidence, mislead colleagues, and commit perjury to obstruct investigations. Prosecutors said Vappie joined Cantrell on 14 domestic and international trips, including an April 2022 visit to San Francisco, where they extended their stay to Napa Valley wineries while Vappie claimed 15 hours of work. The total cost to the city for these trips was around $70,000.
The relationship continued until Vappie retired in June 2024. New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell expressed support for Cantrell and her family, calling it “a sad day for the people of New Orleans.”
Cantrell, a Democrat, is serving her final term as mayor, set to leave office in January. She is the city’s first female mayor and has faced a turbulent second term, including surviving a recall attempt in 2022.
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