See what 11 charges LaToya Cantrell facesWho is Jeffrey Vappie and how is he connected to Cantrell federal caseA look at the allegations, charges and history of the former executive security officer at the center of the federal probe involving Mayor LaToya CantrellWhat happens after a federal indictment?A breakdown of the federal court process following an indictment, with context from Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s caseThe indictment outlines at least 14 domestic and international trips Vappie took with Cantrell, including San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Martha’s Vineyard, allegedly arranged to maximize personal time together. On one trip to Napa Valley wineries, prosecutors say Vappie claimed to be working a 15-hour day. In total, the city allegedly spent more than $70,000 on Vappie’s travel for such trips.In private messages, Cantrell described these trips as “times when we are truly alone” and “what spoils me the most.” On another trip, Vappie allegedly told Cantrell it was “another leg on our journey” and declared his love for her.Prosecutors say both defendants were warned their conduct was illegal as early as April 2022. The indictment claims Cantrell concealed more than 50 records from a grand jury subpoena and falsely claimed she had activated WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature in 2021, when in fact she turned it on more than a month after news coverage began.Other allegations include filing a police report and seeking a restraining order against a citizen who photographed them together while Vappie was on duty, and continuing to obstruct investigations through 2024.RELATED: The mayor’s legal troubles come after more than two years of mounting criticism including; an alleged romantic relationship involving her former , a legal battle with of the alleged relationship, a legal battle with New orleans Public Schools over a , the indictment of a who allegedly bribed her with Saints tickets, and amid an and in the aftermath of .Mayor Cantrell spending less and less time in office, records showThe federal probe first gained traction in 2023, when Fox 8’s “” investigation uncovered that NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie, who had been assigned to Cantrell’s protective detail, was spending hours with her inside a city-owned apartment while on the clock and possibly being paid for unworked time. Surveillance logs, building access records, and timestamped footage showed Vappie frequently entered the Upper Pontalba apartment while on duty.Investigators later uncovered that Vappie may have with the mayor while filing falsified timesheets. Vappie was placed on leave and eventually resigned.In July 2024, on federal charges including wire fraud and falsifying records. Prosecutors allege he lied to cover up a romantic relationship with Cantrell. He has pleaded not guilty.Timeline leading to federal indictment of Jeffrey VappieThe indictment also includes allegations that former NOPD Interim Superintendent to dismiss an internal investigation into Vappie, and her refusal to do so may have cost her the permanent position.In September 2024, the feds , who allegedly bribed Cantrell with Saints tickets and a steak dinner in exchange for the removal of city employees interfering with his permitting schemes. He is also accused of forging inspection documents and defrauding the city.Former inspector bribed Mayor Cantrell with Saints tickets, prosecutors allegeMost recently, Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño, one of the last remaining high-level members of Cantrell’s original team, announced at the end of August 2025.The mayor’s and travel habits have also come under repeated fire. In 2022, she faced backlash for using public funds to upgrade flights to business class for international travel, defending the practice as “doing business on behalf of the city.”In 2022, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell spent nearly $200,000 from her campaign account, with more than a third of those funds going toward image consulting services. Campaign finance records in February 2022 show Cantrell’s campaign paid $60,000 to Jolie Image Consulting, owned by Tanya Haynes, and another $12,000 to Erica Warren.Haynes allegedly told store employees she was purchasing clothing for the mayor to wear at public events like Essence Fest and a 2018 royal visit.In November 2022, FOX 8 reported that federal agents had visited Ballin’s Ltd., a high-end New Orleans fashion boutique, as part of their investigation. FBI agents questioned employees and collected receipts and documents related to purchases made by Tanya Blunt-Haynes, a salon owner and personal shopper who also served as Cantrell’s stylist.Cantrell has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.“How I came in seems to be how I’m going out. Accusation after accusation after accusation,” at a budget presentation in October 2024.At a U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Tampa in June, Cantrell called the scrutiny she has faced while in office “disrespectful.”Cantrell made history in November 2017 when elected as New Orleans’ first Black woman mayor. She has made history again as the city’s first sitting mayor to face criminal charges. Former Mayor Ray Nagin, who served six years of a 10-year federal prison sentence for wire fraud, bribery and money laundering convictions, had been out of office for 32 months when he was indicted in January 2013. The City of New Orleans acknowledged the federal indictment of Mayor LaToya Cantrell but declined to comment on the allegations.In a statement, the city said Cantrell’s attorney, Eddie Castaing, had recently received the indictment and is reviewing it. “Until his review is complete, the City will not comment further on this matter,” the statement said.See a spelling or grammar error in our story? to report it. Please include the headline.Subscribe to the Fox 8 .Copyright 2025 WVUE. All rights reserved.Most ReadGet paid to move: The US towns and cities that’ll pay you to relocate 6-year-old killed in Slidell hit-and-run; driver arrested Mississippi man with New Orleans ties dead from flesh-eating bacteria NOPD officer linked to Danette Colbert accused of having sex with prostitutes while on duty State of Louisiana sues Roblox, alleges failure to protect children from predators15 nurses fired by hospital after 12-year-old girl dies by suicide under their supervision, reports say LSU freshman running back turns himself in on accessory charge Latest News Hurricane Erin strengthens into Category 2 storm as it approaches the northeast Caribbean Man shot and killed near Marrero bar, police say11-year-old boy missing in New Orleans East; public asked to help find him Car crashes into Covington pizza restaurant, injuring several including infant Former Nagin Prosecutor: Cantrell indictment marks historic firstAttorney moves to add Jeffrey Vappie to lawsuit originally filed against mayorCrime Commission reacts to publicly documented time between Mayor Cantrell and Officer VappieMayor Cantrell, indicted on 18 counts including fraud and conspiracyNewsLiveWeatherSportsInvestigationsEspañolNOLA NowWVUE3900 Howard Ave.New Orleans, LA 70125(504) 486-6161Public Inspection FilePUBLICFILE@FOX8LIVE.COM - (504) 486-6161Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyEEO StatementFCC ApplicationsAdvertisingDigital MarketingClosed Captioning/Audio DescriptionClick here to learn more about our approach to artificial intelligence.A Gray Local Media Station © 2002-2025, NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday in what prosecutors called a yearslong scheme to hide a romantic relationship with her bodyguard, who is accused of being paid as if he was working even when they met alone in apartments and traveled to vineyards for wine tasting. Cantrell faces charges of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction, less than five months before , New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell (D) was indicted on federal charges Friday after an alleged affair with a local police officer. Cantrell, the city’s first female mayor, is accused of engaging .