New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and former New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officer Jeffrey Paul Vappie, II, have been indicted on federal charges of wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Cantrell, 53, and Vappie, 52, both residents of New Orleans, are accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice. According to the superseding indictment, while Cantrell served as mayor and Vappie was a member of her executive protection team, they developed a personal relationship beginning in October 2021. Prosecutors allege that from then until Vappie's retirement in June 2024, the two exploited their positions to defraud the City of New Orleans and NOPD by claiming that Vappie was working when he was engaged in personal activities with Cantrell.
The indictment outlines several steps allegedly taken by Cantrell and Vappie to conceal their actions. These include using WhatsApp to exchange over 15,000 messages within eight months; intimidating subordinates; harassing a citizen; lying to colleagues; deleting evidence; making false statements to FBI agents; submitting an affidavit containing false statements under oath; and committing perjury before a federal grand jury.
The indictment further alleges that Cantrell and Vappie used a city-owned apartment as their shared residence for personal activities during times when Vappie claimed he was on duty. It also details at least 14 domestic and international trips where Vappie accompanied Cantrell for personal reasons while being paid by the city. The City of New Orleans reportedly paid over $70,000 for these trips.
In one instance described in the indictment, while wine tasting in Napa Valley on April 9, 2022—during an extended trip with Cantrell—Vappie claimed he worked a 15-hour day. Another example cites an August 2022 trip to Washington D.C., which both described as necessary for their relationship.
When questioned about her practice of bringing members of the Executive Protection Unit on out-of-state trips—a policy she began after Vappie joined EPU—Cantrell cited COVID-related safety concerns but continued taking some trips without any protection detail. On one occasion she traveled alone to Martha’s Vineyard while Vappie attended a conference funded by the city related to his position on the HANO Board of Commissioners—a role appointed by Cantrell.
The indictment states that both were aware their conduct violated criminal laws. In April 2022, an associate warned Cantrell via text message that spending public funds for her personal relationship constituted a felony. After media reports surfaced about their time together at the Pontalba apartment in November 2022, online searches were conducted regarding criminal law attorneys and WhatsApp security features.
Following subpoenas issued by a grand jury in July 2023 compelling production of records—and an FBI interview with Vappie—the indictment alleges that both defendants withheld evidence or made false statements regarding their communications. Specifically noted is Cantrell's claim under oath about activating WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature prior to December 26, 2022—a claim contradicted by evidence showing it was activated only after news coverage began questioning her conduct.
The document also accuses them of pressuring NOPD leadership regarding internal investigations into Vappie's conduct and retaliating against individuals who documented or reported their actions.
"Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt."
If convicted on conspiracy charges related to wire fraud or obstruction of justice, each defendant faces up to five years or twenty years in prison respectively per count—as well as supervised release terms up to three years per count—and fines up to $250,000 plus mandatory special assessment fees per count.
"Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter and expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Department of Justice’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Properties Section Cybercrime Lab, the City of New Orleans Office of Inspector General, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission."
Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg (Chief of Public Integrity Unit) and Nicholas D. Moses (Financial Crimes Unit/Health Care Fraud Coordinator) are leading prosecution efforts.
