New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell Indicted on Federal Charges

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday on federal charges alleging she conspired to defraud the city and engaged in an “intimate relationship” with a taxpayer-funded security officer. The superseding indictment, unsealed in federal court, marks a new and serious chapter in the controversial mayor’s tenure and makes her the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to face criminal charges.

The 18-count indictment accuses Cantrell, 53, and former police officer Jeffrey Vappie of multiple charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice.

Allegations of Fraud and Deception

According to federal prosecutors, the charges stem from an alleged “intimate relationship” that the two began in October 2021. The indictment claims the pair worked to conceal their relationship to “maximize their time together” and used their official positions for personal gain. Vappie, who was a member of the mayor’s Executive Protection Unit, is accused of falsely billing the city for on-duty hours while he was engaged in personal activities with Cantrell. The indictment alleges that over 14 trips to locations including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., Vappie’s travel costs to the city exceeded $70,000.

Prosecutors also allege that LaToya Cantrell attempted to cover up the relationship by deleting messages and lying under oath to a federal grand jury. The indictment contains personal messages allegedly exchanged between the two, which federal prosecutors say are evidence of their deception.

A Tenure Marked by Controversy

The indictment adds to a series of public controversies that have defined Cantrell’s time in office. Her administration faced a failed recall campaign in 2022, led by activists who accused the mayor of failing to prioritize the city’s needs. The effort fell short of the required signatures, but it highlighted deep public dissatisfaction.

Cantrell has also faced criticism for her handling of a trash dispute, where she terminated a popular sanitation contract in favor of a firm with personal connections to her office. Additionally, she made headlines for a bizarre incident in which she was involved in a physical altercation in a concert restroom. Despite these previous events, the new federal indictment represents the most significant legal and political challenge to her leadership yet.

The Political Fallout for a Historic Mayor

Elected in 2017 as the first female mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell was re-elected in 2021. This indictment could have significant repercussions for the city’s political landscape, especially with the October 2025 mayoral race on the horizon. If found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in prison for the most serious wire fraud and obstruction charges.

City Council members J.P. Morrell and Joe Giarrusso have publicly commented on the indictment, expressing sadness for the city while also urging caution and allowing the legal process to unfold. As New Orleans braces for what could be a long legal battle, the charges against its mayor have drawn national attention to a city already accustomed to political drama.