NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is set to make her first appearance in federal court on Wednesday following her indictment on corruption charges related to an alleged romantic affair with her bodyguard. The charges against her include conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction, which prosecutors argue are part of a yearslong scheme to cover up the relationship, during which Cantrell and her bodyguard traveled and enjoyed various luxuries at taxpayers' expense.
Cantrell's bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, has already pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and making false statements after being indicted in July 2024. Vappie is scheduled to appear in court on Friday facing additional charges. This situation marks a significant turn of events for Cantrell, who made history as the first female mayor in New Orleans’ 300-year history and is now the city's first sitting mayor to face criminal charges.
In August, an 18 count indictment was announced that detailed how Cantrell and Vappie communicated extensively through WhatsApp, exchanging over 15,000 messages where they expressed feelings for each other and devised plans to harass a citizen who disclosed their relationship. They are also accused of deleting evidence and making false statements to FBI agents, with intentions allegedly extending to committing perjury before a federal grand jury. Vappie's travels with Cantrell reportedly cost taxpayers around $70,000, not including her own associated travel expenses.
The indictment highlighted a specific trip in October 2021 to Scotland, which Vappie described in a message as a time when their relationship began to evolve. Cantrell, whose husband passed away in 2023, has consistently maintained that her interactions with Vappie were strictly professional, despite increasing scrutiny surrounding their time together, including during city-funded outings and in a city-owned apartment.
As Cantrell faces these allegations, she remains in the spotlight for political reasons as well. She has been under fire from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, who announced on September 3 that she was suspended from engaging in federal transactions with the HUD. The City Council has since reassured the Housing Authority of New Orleans that other officials can manage federal contracts in her absence.
Cantrell's response to the indictment has been notably muted, even as she participated in public commemorations for the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Her allies have argued that the backlash she faces is compounded by factors related to race and gender, with Cantrell previously stating that she has experienced disrespectful and demeaning treatment throughout her tenure. This situation is reflective of a broader history of public corruption in Louisiana, where more than 100 individuals have faced similar charges in the past two decades.
As the mayor of New Orleans approaches her court hearing, her administration and personal reputation hang in the balance amid growing legal and political challenges. With only four months remaining in her term due to term limits, the developments surrounding her indictments are especially critical as they could redefine her legacy in New Orleans.
Jack Brook, The Associated Press
