New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell indicted for fraud and bodyguard scandal
New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell
on Friday as the charges against her, pertaining to fraud, conspiracy and obstruction were slapped against her. This will mark the end of turbulent mayorship, which was already tumbling under the weight of her affair with her bodyguard
Jeffrey Vappie
.
Vappie was paid by the city as if he was on duty even when he met Cantrell alone in apartments or traveled with her to vineyards for wine tasting. Cantrell is the first female mayor in New Orleans' 300-year history. Vappie has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and making false statements, as reported by CNN.
Cantrell bodyguard fraud case
Prosecutors accuse Vappie of hiding the relationship and filing false payroll records claiming he was working. Vappie retired from the police department last year and is scheduled to stand trial in January. Federal prosecutors said Cantrell and Vappie exchanged encrypted messages through an app to hide their relationship, then deleted them.
Both Cantrell and Vappie have said their relationship was strictly professional. Simpson called it a 'three-year fraud scheme that exploited their public authority and positions.' The pair met in an apartment while Vappie claimed he was on duty. Cantrell arranged for him to attend 14 trips, described as 'times when they were truly alone', as per the CNN report.
In 2021, the indictment says Cantrell and Vappie developed a personal and intimate relationship and allegedly used their positions to defraud the city. Simpson said Cantrell lied in an affidavit about activating a phone feature that deletes messages. She said she activated it in 2021, but it was actually December 2022.
Live Events
ALSO READ:
Trump issues chilling new warning ahead of Putin meeting — stakes have never been higher
When a private citizen took photos of them dining and drinking wine together, Cantrell filed a police report and sought a restraining order. Cantrell's office did not respond to The Associated Press for a comment. Cantrell is term-limited and will leave office in January. She clashed with city council members during her second term and survived a recall effort in 2022.
Cantrell political trouble updates
Monet Brignac, spokesperson for City Council President JP Morrell, said, 'This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans… Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cantrell family.' Cantrell hasn't posted on her official social media feed since July 15, as stated by CNN.
Cantrell's public profile has taken a beating; and she has lost a chunk of her supporters as curtains drawn upon her term. Her power as a Mayor was also diminished after changes in the city charter, and many of her early achievements have been forgotten in the wake of a string of avoidable controversies.
Cantrell and her allies say she has been unfairly targeted as a Black woman and treated differently than male officials. She claimed earlier this year she faced 'very disrespectful, insulting, in some cases kind of unimaginable' treatment, as mentioned by CNN report.
FAQs
Q1. Why was
New Orleans Mayor
LaToya Cantrell indicted?
She was indicted for conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction over hiding a relationship with her bodyguard.
Q2. Who is Jeffrey Vappie in the Cantrell case?
Vappie is Cantrell's bodyguard accused of filing false payroll records and hiding their personal relationship.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Suspected Islamist rebels kill 30 in Congo's North Kivu province
Suspected Islamist rebels have killed at least 30 people in a series of attacks in Congo's North Kivu province in recent days, a Congolese military official said Saturday. The killings took place in Bapere village between Wednesday and Friday, according to Col. Alain Kiwawa, the military administrator of Lubero territory where the village is located. 'We have more than 30 people dead, and at least a hundred who are being held hostage,' Kiwawa told The Associated Press. A civil society leader, Samuel Kaheni, the president of the Bapere civil society organisation, added that several houses were burned and victims were mostly killed with knives. The attacks are the latest in a string of recent attacks by Islamic State-aligned Allied Democratic Force (ADF) after its members killed nearly 40 people last month in an attack on a Catholic church in Ituri. Most of the victims were killed with machetes. The ADF, with roots in neighboring Uganda, operates in the border villages between Uganda and Congo. Both countries have launched a joint armed operation against the group, but the group has only increased its attacks in recent months. The incidence of ADF attacks adds to the complicated security challenges in the eastern region of Congo, where dozens of other armed groups are fighting, and the central government is battling the M23 rebels, which have taken control of Goma and other key cities. Lubero's military administrator called on the residents to be on guard against further violence.'I ask the population to speak out and remain vigilant,' he said.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
'Stop the Trump Takeover': Thousands protest across 34 states against President Donald-backed redistricting
Thousands of Americans are expected to gather across various cities, towns, and community spaces on August 16 as part of a coordinated National Day of Protest against Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas and beyond, reported The Guardian. President Donald Trump's request to redistrict and add five seats in the red state is currently being considered by Texas Republicans.(AP) According to another CNN report, organizers say more than 200 events in 34 states are taking place under the banner 'Stop the Trump Takeover'. The largest rally is anchored in Austin, Texas, where former Congressman Beto O'Rourke, labor leader Dolores Huerta, and other prominent speakers are scheduled to address demonstrators at the State Capitol. Also Read: Trump softens stance on India, China tariffs? What he said after meeting Putin Texas at the center of the protests The wave of protests comes as Texas Republicans consider a mid-decade redistricting plan, reportedly at President Donald Trump's request, that could hand the GOP five new congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. In response, Texas House Democrats fled the state earlier this month to prevent a quorum and block the vote. They have demanded that Republicans end their special session and that Democrats in California advance their own offsetting maps before returning. According to CNN, the event page for the Austin rally stated, 'Texas is being used as a testing ground for extremist policies and partisan games that do not reflect our values.' Anti-Trump protests will be held from Texas to California The fight, The Guardian report added, has spilled beyond Texas. California Governor Gavin Newsom was quoted as saying that Democrats will push forward with their own redistricting plan, which will add five Democratic seats, but only if Republican states advance their efforts. Per the report, Democrats have argued that Trump and his allies are attempting to 'rig the system' by redrawing congressional maps. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, was quoted as saying that Trump knows he cannot win on his ideas and is changing the rules. The DNC is helping coordinate the demonstrations. Inside the nationwide protests against Trump While the main spotlight is on Austin, demonstrations are spreading across the United States. Protestors are gathering at Central Park in New York City, and organizers are painting banners and signs across the city in Washington, DC. Protestors have planned 'Bridge brigades' across 16 bridges in North Carolina, including in Raleigh and Durham. Meanwhile, California will see creative protests in locations like a Tesla showroom in Palo Alto. Moreover, in Florida, Missouri, and Ohio, rallies are expected to be held in Sarasota, Jefferson City, and Cincinnati. Apart from speeches, events include teach-ins, banner drops, art-making, and musical performances. Also Read: Photos: Protesters oppose Putin's warm welcome on US soil, Alaskan summit with Trump Drucilla Tigner, executive director of the Texas For All coalition, framed the Trump Takeover protests as part of a broader struggle. He told CNN that even though the fight began in Texas, it does not end there. Tigner said, 'This isn't just about redistricting or one state's politics. It's about the future of our democracy.' Organizers have stressed a 'commitment to nonviolence' as demonstrations unfold. FAQs Q1. How many Trump Takeover protests are planned today? Over 200 events in 34 states are taking place across the US. Q2. Where is the main protest? The largest protest is scheduled for Austin, Texas, at the State Capitol. Q3. What is at the center of the protests? Protesters are opposing Republican-led redistricting plans in Texas and other states, backed by Donald Trump, that could give the GOP more congressional seats.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Jaishankar, British counterpart Lammy discuss Ukraine developments
New Delhi [India], August 16 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his British counterpart Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke over the phone on Saturday and discussed Ukraine developments and other issues. 'Appreciate the call from UK FS @DavidLammy. Our discussions covered the recent Ukraine developments and other issues," Jaishankar said in a post on X. The conversation came a day after US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held Summit meeting in Alaska over the Russia-Ukraine President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska 'went really well".He also held a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, several European leaders and the Secretary General of NATO and highlighted that it was determined by all that a peace agreement is the best way going US President said in a post on Truth Social, 'A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."He also shared that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will be coming to Washington DC on Monday and if things work out then a meeting would be scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin.'President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"Earlier on Friday, the United States and Russia held the much-anticipated truce talks meeting in Alaska to discuss bringing an end to the conflict in top economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said the US received Russia 'very well" in Alaska and that the two countries would continue building relations despite 'resistance."'The US-Russia summit in Alaska has definitely been productive," Dmitriev said according to CNN, adding that there were 'lots of issues that we discussed and many we agreed on".'Some of them are to be agreed and definitely it's very important that President Trump outlines a significant economic potential of cooperation between the US and Russia," said Dmitriev."We will continue building US-Russia relations going forward despite lots of resistance to this, but we will continue strengthening US-Russia ties," he added, as per CNN. (ANI)
