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Fraud

New Orleans Mayor Indicted on Charges of Misusing Taxpayer Funds and Obstructing Justice

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on charges of misusing taxpayer funds and obstructing justice after allegations arose that she brought her police bodyguard, Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, on over a dozen out-of-state trips, costing the public approximately $70,000. The indictment also accuses Cantrell of lying to a grand jury and withholding thousands of WhatsApp messages that allegedly reveal the true nature of her relationship with Vappie. Investigators claim that Cantrell and Vappie "orchestrated out-of-state trips to maximize their opportunities to engage in personal activities," and that Cantrell disobeyed a federal grand jury subpoena.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aiding and abetting wire fraud, assisting in obstructing justice, and lying to a grand jury.
  • Cantrell allegedly brought her police bodyguard, Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, on 14 out-of-state trips between September 2021 and March 2024, costing the public approximately $70,000.
  • The indictment accuses Cantrell of withholding 15,000 WhatsApp messages that allegedly reveal the true nature of her relationship with Vappie.
  • Investigators claim that Cantrell disobeyed a federal grand jury subpoena and lied to a grand jury about her relationship with Vappie.
  • Vappie was previously indicted on similar charges and was removed from Cantrell's security detail in April 2024.
  • Each count of wire fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release.

Statistics:

  • Approximately $70,000 in taxpayer funds was allegedly misused by Cantrell for Vappie's out-of-state trips.
  • 14 out-of-state trips were taken by Cantrel and Vappie between September 2021 and March 2024.
  • 15,000 WhatsApp messages were allegedly withheld by Cantrell in relation to her relationship with Vappie.
  • 20 years is the maximum sentence for each count of wire fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
  • 3 years is the maximum supervised release for each count of wire fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Sources:

  • "New Orleans mayor indicted on charges of misusing taxpayer funds, obstructing justice" by Reid Epstein and Ben Brasch (The Associated Press)

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