New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is facing charges of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction for allegedly trying to cover up a romantic relationship with her bodyguard. Prosecutors say Cantrell and retired NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie cheated the city out of $70,000 for trips they took together under the premise that Vappie was providing security to Cantrell. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the evidence laid out in the 18-count indictment will be difficult to defend for Cantrell and her lawyers.
“The evidence is highly public. It’s been laid out. They have pictures in the indictment. What was paid to Mr. Vappie is very easy to calculate. It was roughly $70,000,” Ciolino said.
The mayor has previously said her relationship with Vappie was strictly professional. But prosecutors say they found 15,000 messages sent through the WhatsApp platform that provides evidence of a love affair.
Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says having an affair is not crime, it’s using taxpayer money and then the coverup. He says if Cantrell is found guilty on most of these charges it could result in a federal prison sentence of five to six years.
“She’s not guilty, she has not pled guilty or been found guilty by a jury. But if that happens, she’s going to be looking at jail time for sure. This is not, these are not probatable crimes,” Ciolino said.
Cantrell has five more months left in office. She’s the first sitting mayor in New Orleans’ history to be indicted. Vappie was indicted last summer on wire fraud charges, accused of filing fraudulent payroll documents and making false statements about his relationship with the mayor.
Ciolino is surprised the indictment against Cantrell didn’t come sooner.
“I think many wondered or expected this but have wondered why it took so long to come out, particularly since her co-conspirator, alleged co-conspirator, Jeffrey Vappie was indicted more than a year ago,” Ciolino said.
Vappie is facing new allegations in Cantrell’s indictment.
