New Orleans Mayor and Bodyguard Face Fraud and Corruption Charges in Romance Scandal

Fri Oct 17 2025 08:35:53 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

LaToya Cantrell and Jeffrey Vappie are accused of misusing public funds for personal gain.

Federal charges allege that New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her bodyguard engaged in fraudulent activities, misusing funds for a personal relationship and resulting in corruption-related charges.

In an unprecedented case, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, have been charged with fraud and corruption. Prosecutors allege that the duo misappropriated public funds to maintain a private romantic relationship that began in October 2021. Vappie was part of Cantrell's protection team at the time, and the pair supposedly claimed he was on duty during various personal outings, including 14 trips both domestically and internationally.

While neither Cantrell nor Vappie has publicly commented on the allegations, the city announced that Cantrell's legal team is currently reviewing the charges. Federal prosecutors stated that encrypted communications via WhatsApp allowed Cantrell and Vappie to conceal their relationship and illicit activities, fortifying claims of fraud by utilizing city resources for their interests.

Evidence suggests that the couple utilized a city-owned apartment as a shared residence while Vappie was officially on duty. Trips taken under the guise of business included leisure activities, such as a $70,000 wine tasting event in California. In her defense, Cantrell previously claimed that these trips warranted having a bodyguard for safety due to COVID-19 risks, a justification disputed by prosecutors citing instances of her traveling alone.

US Attorney Michael Simpson elaborated on the case, emphasizing that while the relationship itself is not a crime, the duo's actions represent a significant violation of public trust involving the misuse of taxpayer money. Witness accounts have surfaced of Cantrell and Vappie dining together while he was supposedly on duty, leading Cantrell to file a police report against the person who took photographs of them during this encounter.

The charges include intimidation of subordinates, false testimony to FBI agents, and perjury related to grand jury statements. If convicted, they face substantial prison time and fines reaching up to $250,000. Cantrell, who has made history as the first female mayor of New Orleans, is expected to depart from office in January.