New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on federal corruption charges as prosecutors allege, she defrauded taxpayers out of $70,000 to conceal a personal relationship with former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie, who served as her bodyguard. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson:
“They are charged with a series of fraud, obstruction of justice and false statement offenses for their role in a nearly three-year fraud scheme that we alleged exploited their public authority and positions,” Simpson said.
Cantrell previously said Vappie was part of her security detail and the two traveled together regularly for out-of-state and out-of-country trips. But Simpson says they found messages that show the two used the trips to foster their romantic relationship. He gave an example of a message sent by Vappie to Cantrell after a trip to D.C.
“A trip that they both agreed they quote ‘Needed,’ unquote. Shortly after they returned, Vappie described the trip to Cantrell as
quote ‘Another leg on our journey,’ closed quote, as he declared his love for her and their physical relationship,” Simpson explained.
Cantrell is the first sitting New Orleans mayor to face federal charges. She’s facing conspiracy, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and false statements. Simpson says his office takes allegations of public corruption seriously.
“Public officials should be in their jobs to serve the public and not themselves. To do otherwise is a breach of the trust that undermines the public’s faith and trust in their own government,” Simpson said.
