New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted on Aug. 15 in what prosecutors have alleged to be a yearslong scheme to hide a romantic relationship with her bodyguard.
Cantrell allegedly allowed Jeffrey Vappie, a New Orleans Police Department officer and member of her executive protection team, to be paid even when doing activities unrelated to his official duties, such as meeting Cantrell alone in apartments and traveling to vineyards for wine tasting events.
Cantrell has been charged with conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction after a grand jury approved an 18-count indictment that added Cantrell to an ongoing case against Vappie.
“Public corruption has crippled us for years and years,” acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said, referring to Louisiana’s long history of corruption cases. Simpson called the indictment “extremely significant.”…