New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury – highly unusual for a sitting mayor (it’s never happened before in New Orleans!). Former officer on her protection detail, and alleged affair partner, Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, was also indicted.
Prosecutors allege that they started a romantic relationship in fall 2021, and that they falsified timecards and engaged in payroll fraud. They also appear to have taken lavish trips on taxpayer funds.
They are charged with,
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud (18 USC § 371) — both Cantrell and Vappie.
- Conspiracy to obstruct justice (18 USC § 1512(k)) — both.
- Multiple counts of wire fraud — Vappie on 12 counts, Cantrell on six of those counts.
- False statement to the FBI — Vappie.
- Obstruction of justice (18 USC § 1512(c)(1)) — Cantrell.
- False declarations before a grand jury (perjury — 18 USC § 1623) — Cantrell (two counts).
There were at least 14 trips funded by the city, including wine-tasting in Napa, visits to San Francisco, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Orlando, Scotland, and the UAE — costing $47,000 to $70,000. They also took staycations at a city-owned apartment. Plus, her French Riviera trip alone apparently cost $50,000.
Receipts show the upgraded flights cost more than $9,800 per person. Flight records provided for Sanga were limited.
While in France, Cantrell and her team stayed at the Villa Victoria. The mayor stayed in a superior room with a double bed at $552 per night. The rest of her team stayed in a superior room with twin beds for $529 per night.
In her defense, she’s previously claimed that she has to fly in premium cabins because coach travel is unsafe for black women.
Cantrell is term-limited out in January 2026. A federal trial could take years, and unless convicted, Cantrell may complete her term. She has denied any wrongdoing, saying her relationship with Vappie was strictly professional. She was previously linked to a corruption case involving contractor Randy Farrell, who allegedly bribed her with Saints tickets and other benefits to fire a city employee investigating permit irregularities. That indictment occurred in September 2024, listing her as “Public Official 1”.
Issues of race and gender aside, honestly I think that her claim of coach being an unsafe space should draw quite a bit of sympathy from many readers here.
That hotel rate doesn’t actually sound too ridiculous, that is assuming she had a good reason to be in France on city business in the first place. I know New Orleans has managed some one off flights from AF trying to lure service.
In her defense, what she’s accused of is small potatoes by New Orleans standards. Ray Nagin and “Dollar Bill” Jefferson would laugh. Cantrell is either bilking the public in some other large ways, or she’s as incompetent a fraudster as she is a mayor.
As long as the good citizens of New Orleans continue to vote for scum, that’s just what they’ll get and deserve !
And to be fair this applies to our entire country, even to that ‘rotting fish head’ at the top !
it’s Her and her voters that make Coach unsafe
“Issues of race and gender aside, honestly I think that her claim of coach being an unsafe space should draw quite a bit of sympathy from many readers here.”
I suppose you could say that all of the passenger compartments in an airplane are unsafe spaces, but from the reports on this blog, the more expensive seats are just as unsafe as the coach seats. That dog don’t hunt. Personally as a coach flier, I have never found the coach seats unsafe. Uncomfortable, yes, but unsafe, no.
One of the most right-on observations of Molly Ivins …”… half the State is under water. The other half is under-Indictment.” This is so piddlin’ and insignificant: for perspective, recall the epic ’91 Guv’s race between Edwin Edwards (who later did 10 years with the Federal Bureau of Prisons) and the Grand Dragon of the KKK. Edwin’s official campaign slogan, tv, billboards, etc.: “VOTE FOR THE CROOK!” (a majority did).
I’m reminded of Jim Carey in the film ‘Fun with Dick and Jane’ where he’s indicted. “Indicted?? I can’t calm down… I’m indicted!!”
What do they often say, ‘a grand jury would indict a ham sandwich.’ Expect an acquittal, or deny, delay, appeal tactics, right or left, red or blue, real or fake, black, brown or white, if it’s a pubic official, sadly, ‘law-fare’ is the new normal. The only difference is rich vs. poor; if you’re rich, you’ll get outta it; if you’re poor, well, you’re already screwed.
But, I really want to hear is resident bigot @Walter Barry’s infamous ‘hot takes’ on this topic. To him, and the others, feel free to go hard ‘r’ if you wish. Remember, ‘woke is dead,’ and your Dear Leader will protect you! “Relax, guy.”
Yeah, Gary, ‘coach’ is sooo violent these days; First only, please.
@jns, he’s being sarcastic.
She spent tens of thousands in questionable activities. Trump has spent $65 million on golf outing since January. But I get it, she’s a criminal while dear leader lines his pockets to the tune of millions while we foot the bill. But, hey, he’s Trump. He’s perfect. He can do no wrong in the eyes of the very people attacking the Mayor of New Orleans for the color of her skin.
@Michael — We’re supposed to take everything on here seriously and literally. Also: “No more politics. Your father and I support the jobs the comet will create.”
@1990 look forward to a mid term batch of new trolls. Or new handles for some that have already been kicked. to the curb. Same lies new day. Most will be familiar by their familiar voice! Grrr.
@Maryland — Saw you holding over at LALF, especially on the absurdity around the recent Putin/Alaska post there from earlier this week. I’m convinced @Walter Barry (and @Andy S, another bigot, who’s gone on here, but apparently alive and well over there) are literally on the FSB/GRU payroll. Like, yikes. Straight disinformation campaign going on over there. Bad news bears.
What I’m trying to say is thank you for being the voice of reason and fighting the good fight, here, there, everywhere. You speak truth to their nonsense. I prefer to mock and troll them back.
1990 Some days it’s killing me but I hate them more than the cancer
@ 1990 — A donation to the orange blob should resolve her issues.
Looks like someone found a Big Easy way to fly free.
Coach in any airline is orders of magnitude more safe than anywhere in New Orleans.
Source: grew up near there. No desire to go back after witnessing drive by shooting in french quarter last visit.
@Hall Decker, it was “Vote for the crook – It’s Important”
1990 says:
“I’m reminded of Jim Carey in the film ‘Fun with Dick and Jane’ where he’s indicted. “Indicted?? I can’t calm down… I’m indicted!!”
Watch the GOOD version of that film from 1977 with George Segal and ‘Hanoi’ Jane Fonda
In the aggregate, the economy class cabin is a higher risk part of the planes when it comes to passengers being sprayed by vomit from other passengers. And it’s an increasing risk as airlines cut back on making sure there is an air sickness bag at each seat for each flight.
Louisiana — like most states in the US — have quite the record of voting for crooks. Except now they vote for much bigger crooks. Case in point is MAGA Lord’s 2016 and 2024 election wins in so many states, Louisiana included.
Deport her to el Salvador
@Walter Barry — What took you so long? Probably too busy stuffing your face with borscht. Did the check finally clear from Moscow? I’m assuming GRU, because FSB is more ‘internal.’ And why has your ‘team’ stopped using ‘Andy S’ on here? Oh, but he’s good enough for LALF. Got it. Anyway, just asking questions…
Just another race hustler ripping off their own people. If Al Sharpton can do it and get away with it people like this woman reason they can too.
Does any of this surprise u! Same old song & dance!
This is not the first time LaToya has pushed the envelope :
– she held up NOPD civil service promotions to favor her candidate. In a subsequent deposition concerning these shenanigans, she pleaded the Fifth Amendment.
– she declared an emergency so that a garbage contract for the French Quarter could be reassigned at the last minute. Yet, the businesses and residents in the French Quarter were well pleased with the original contractor. The city council overruled the mayor.
– a local woman published a snap shot of the mayor and her bodyguard having brunch on a French Quarter balcony. Just Google the photo and their faces tell the story!! The mayor attempted to sue the local woman for invasion of privacy. The courts ruled against the mayor.
– one of the council members is running for the mayor’s seat. Her commercial consist of a dumpster on fire complaining about the mayor’s performance (or lack of it)
The federal indictment is small potatoes the Big Easy!!
I love how people say “Well so and so did this or that……” as if it’s a justification.
That is a weak debate tactic attempting to deflect the conversation away from the main focal point.
George Romey can’t see the forest from the trees or he would focus on the big problem:
The biggest race hustler ripping off his/her/their own people is the current US President. When the surviving primary key kingpin in the Tr-mp-Epstein Pedo-Files conspiracy can do it and get away with it, more European-American race hustlers do it too.
@1990 – So true. You can commit just as much crime as you (or those who support you) can afford to get you out of…
In a way, and this sort of echos Bill Maher’s rant from his show last night, I almost respect those who own and are bold about their fraud or illegal activity. I mean, this is Louisiana, so Huey Long? He ended up getting buried in front of his new capitol building, facing it so that “everyone for all eternity” would be able to see his phallus.
Ugh! Ms Cantrell is SUCH A RACIST BIGOT!
Long Haul Economy isnt safe for ANYONE, ANY COLOR!
Ugh!
$500 per night in a good hotel is not uncommon in France. Last year I stayed at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes albeit on IHG points, but the rack rate for the night I was there was €1,100 without breakfast!