Latest news with #LatoyaCantrell
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
New Orleans mayor indicted for fraud over police relationship
Aug. 16 (UPI) -- New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell is facing federal wire fraud and conspiracy charges after being indicted this week along with a former member of her security detail. Cantrell and retired New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffrey Vappie were both indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other charges after Vappie was allegedly paid for official duty while the two were engaged in "personal activities," according to a statement issued by the Justice Department. Authorities contend the two began a relationship in 2021, during which time Vappie was paid as an on-duty member of Cantrell's personal security team. Vappie retired in 2004. "They embarked on a scheme to defraud the City of New Orleans and NOPD by exploiting Vappie's job and Cantrell's authority as Mayor to have the City and NOPD pay Vappie's salary and expenses during times Vappie claimed to be on duty but when the was actually engaged in personal activities, often with Cantrell," the Justice Department indictment reads. The allegations contend Vappie and Cantrell's activities extended to out-of-state trips. Cantrell allegedly shifted policy and started bringing members of her Executive Protection Unit on the out-of-state trips around five months after Vappie joined the EPU. "Cantrell said she would 'make it happen' to have Vappie accompany her on a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., a trip that they both agreed that they 'needed,'" the Justice Department statement reads. The City of New Orleans was billed over $70,000 on Vappie's behalf for the three-day trip. The couple also allegedly used a city-owned apartment during their relationship. Cantrell was elected in 2018 after serving as a Member of the New Orleans City Council, making her the first female mayor in the city's history. Cantrell has not commented publicly on the allegations. Police say the pair tried to hide the affair and have recovered thousands of texts and pictures from the What'sApp messaging platform. Both are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Vappie also faces twelve counts of wire fraud. Cantrell is also named in six of the latter charges. Additionally, Vappie is charged with making a false statement to the FBI, while Cantrell faces two counts of making a false declaration before a grand jury. Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
New Orleans mayor indicted on federal corruption charges
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 in a romantic relationship with Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, a police officer in the executive protection unit. Court documents allege she orchestrated out-of-state trips to maximize their opportunities to engage in 'personal activities' that cost the City of New Orleans over $70,000 in addition to travel expenses for Cantrell. Prosecutors say both Cantrell and Vappie were warned about misconduct in 2022. The Democratic mayor is in her final term as the city's leader and is now charged with making false statements and false declarations before a grand jury, conspiracy to obstruct justice and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 'Aware their conduct violated rules, policies, and criminal laws, Cantrell and Vappir attempted to distract and impede inquiries and investigations, including a federal grand jury investigation, about the true nature and circumstances of their relationship and their scheme to defraud,' the indictment reads. 'They did this by using an encrypted messaging platform, intimidating and punishing subordinates, lying to colleagues and advisors, making false public pronouncements, harassing a o colleagues and advisors, making false public pronouncements, harassing a private individual who took pictures of them in public together, deleting electronic evidence, making false statements to federal law enforcement agents, authoring an affidavit signed under oath and penalty of perjury containing false information, and testifying falsely while under oath before a federal grand jury,' it continues. Cantrell will face charges in the U.S. District Court's Eastern District of Louisiana. This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans,' said Monet Brignac, a spokesperson for City Council President JP Morrell told The Associated Press. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cantrell family as they navigate through this difficult time.' Cantrell previously alleged she was targeted as a Black woman and faced 'very disrespectful, insulting, in some cases kind of unimaginable' treatment, according to the AP.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Appeals court ruled against New Orleans mayor in stalking case
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell in a stalking case. Flood Warning & Advisory to impact evening commute Cantrell claims a woman, Anne Breaud, was stalking her when she took photos of the mayor dining at a French Quarter restaurant. Breaud took the photos from her own balcony in the Upper Pontalba building. In its decision the court is also requiring Cantrell to pay $8,000 in court costs and attorney fees to Breaud.'Immaturity': Rand Paul rips White House after being 'uninvited' from picnic Learning dance moves from 'Velma Kelly' from Broadway's 'Chicago' Senate GOP seeks to cut SALT cap, triggering fight with House Appeals court ruled against New Orleans mayor in stalking case ATF campaigning in New Orleans against illegal firearm purchases Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Ponchatoula PD: Two Strawberry Fest shootings unrelated
PONCHATOULA, La. (WGNO) — The Ponchatoula Police Department is investigating two shootings that happened Saturday night at the city's Strawberry Festival. One happened by the ticket window at the festival and the other on the outskirts of the grounds at the Ponchatoula Community Center. As of Sunday, police said the shootings were unrelated. The cases are the latest ones to roll on the Wheel of Justice. New Orleans Police: Car burglars struck 6 times in 1 night Police say around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, they were called to the ticket booth where they found one person shot in the abdomen and another with a graze wound to the leg. Five minutes later, they say they received the call about the second shooting at the outskirts of the festival where they found another victim shot in the leg. According to police, all three victims are teenaged males, and all are expected to be okay. Police are also asking for anyone with video of what happened at either location to come forward. NOPD: Suspects accused of assaulting officers in French Quarter If you have any information that could help solve the festival shootings, call Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa Parish at 800-554-5245. You don't have to reveal your name or testify in court, and you could be eligible to earn a cash reward. So far, more than 475 people have been booked after their cases rolled on the Wheel of Cross baseball closes out regular season with statement win over Pope John Paul II Ponchatoula PD: Two Strawberry Fest shootings unrelated Mississippi River rises above 11 feet at Carrollton Gage, Phase I flood fight activated New report accuses Mayor Latoya Cantrell of improperly halting New Orleans Police Department officer promotions Immigration judges sue over mass firings at DOJ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
