Democrat Mayor LaToya Cantrell Indicted on Federal Criminal Charges [WATCH]

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday by a federal grand jury, marking the first time in the city’s history that a sitting mayor faces criminal prosecution, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The indictment, which also names former New Orleans Police officer Jeffrey Vappie, follows an FBI investigation. Details of the federal charges have not yet been released.

BREAKING: Democrat New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has just been INDICTED by a federal grand jury after an FBI investigation for CORRUPTION

Democrat corruption is FINALLY being prosecuted!

Mayor Cantrell has been accused of accepting bribes on NUMEROUS occasions,… pic.twitter.com/xpI1FLtNvS

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 15, 2025

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Cantrell’s legal troubles come after more than two years of scrutiny over her conduct in office.

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Allegations have included a reported romantic relationship with Vappie, who previously served as her executive security officer, as well as disputes with local institutions and questions over taxpayer spending.

In 2023, local news outlets reported that the FBI was investigating Cantrell for an alleged affair with Vappie and potential misuse of taxpayer funds.

According to the Daily Mail, the probe examined her time spent with Vappie on city property and during trips funded by the government. Security footage allegedly showed the two spending extended periods together in a city-owned Upper Pontalba apartment during work hours.

Vappie was also accused of falsifying timesheets while serving on Cantrell’s security detail.

An internal investigation by the New Orleans Police Department concluded that he violated departmental rules, including logging 18 hours of work in a single day and spending “numerous hours” with Cantrell outside his scheduled duties.

BREAKING: Federal prosecutors are on the verge of indicting the Democrat Mayor of New Orleans LaToya Cantrell for bribery, wire fraud, and lying to the FBI about her inappropriate romantic relationship with a police officer. The officer has already been indicted; She’s next… pic.twitter.com/0058DtDhGQ

— George (@BehizyTweets) July 23, 2024

Records also indicated that Vappie participated in two Housing Authority of New Orleans board meetings as the mayor’s appointee.

The allegations were further amplified by divorce filings from Vappie’s wife, which suggest the relationship with Cantrell began in May 2021 — the same month Vappie joined her security team.

The mayor has also faced criticism for a series of controversies during her time in office, including a legal battle with a New Orleans resident over photographs allegedly showing her with Vappie, disputes with the New Orleans Public Schools over a multi-million dollar funding commitment, and backlash for frequent travel during public safety crises.

Cantrell previously came under fire for spending more than $30,000 in taxpayer funds on first-class flights to Europe, defending the expenses by citing safety concerns as a Black woman and protection from COVID-19.

BREAKING: LaToya Cantrell, the Democrat Mayor of New Orleans, was just INDICTED on CORRUPTION charges by a federal grand jury.

Cantrell allegedly accepted bribes worth thousands of dollars from Randy Farrell, a building inspector, in exchange for the firing of a city official… pic.twitter.com/e2QhNZrB1c

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 15, 2025

Vappie’s indictment is connected to the same FBI investigation that led to charges against Cantrell. Both now await further legal proceedings as federal authorities prepare to release additional details of the case.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury on Friday, making her the first New Orleans mayor charged with a federal crime while still in office.

Full Story: https://t.co/MYVqwYKSZf pic.twitter.com/fBGjPFM7wC

— WWL-TV (@WWLTV) August 15, 2025

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