New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted in August 2025 on 11 federal counts — including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements — for allegedly directing over $70,000 in taxpayer funds to cover travel expenses for a romantic relationship with her NOPD bodyguard, then obstructing the grand jury investigation.

City of New Orleans — Mayor Cantrell Fraud and Obstruction Charges (2019–2025)

Outcome: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted in August 2025 on 11 federal counts — including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements — becoming the first sitting New Orleans mayor to be federally indicted while in office, for allegedly hiding a romantic relationship with her NOPD bodyguard by directing over $70,000 in taxpayer funds to cover his travel expenses and then obstructing the federal investigation.

Cantrell — the first female mayor in New Orleans' 300-year history, elected twice and facing term limits in early 2026 — was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Louisiana on August 15, 2025. The co-defendant is former New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffrey Vappie.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Cantrell arranged for regular out-of-state travel with Vappie — including trips to vineyards for wine tasting and stays in private apartments — while directing that over $70,000 in taxpayer money be used to cover his transportation, meals, and overtime pay. The scheme involved documenting the travel as official security work when prosecutors allege it was personal in nature.

Cantrell was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements, and false declaration before a grand jury — 11 counts in total. She entered a not-guilty plea before Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby at her arraignment.

Primary Source: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Former NOPD Officer Jeffrey Vappie Indicted