New Orleans Mayor Faces Federal Charges as Photos Reveal Alleged Gifts From Bodyguard

Former New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell, who served in the office from 2018-2026, is facing renewed scrutiny after prosecutors filed fresh allegations tied to her ongoing federal corruption case involving her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie.

Cantrell and Vappie were indicted in 2024 on federal charges including wire fraud, conspiracy and making false statements. Prosecutors allege the pair used public funds to finance personal trips before attempting to conceal the expenses.

The latest court filings accuse Cantrell, the first woman elected mayor of New Orleans, of failing to disclose expensive gifts from Vappie when questioned by investigators, according to the Daily Mail.

Among the gifts were two rings allegedly given to Cantrell by Vappie, including a gold New Orleans Police Department crescent ring that Vappie previously wore while serving on the force. Cantrell acknowledged receiving a smaller diamond ring in a 2023 affidavit, but prosecutors say she failed to mention the gold ring.

Prosecutors also submitted photos they claim show Cantrell wearing both rings, including in her official mayoral portrait.

Cantrell additionally faces allegations that she used campaign funds to purchase alcohol and luxury clothing during the pandemic. Court documents claim she spent more than $9,000 on alcohol between March and October 2020 and paid $259,559 to a personal stylist from 2017 through 2020.

During a May 21 court hearing, Cantrell’s attorney, Eddie Castaing, defended her against the allegations.

“Out of 4,500 federal statutes, I haven’t found one that says falling in love was a federal offense,” Castaing argued.

Her legal team maintains the spending records were public and notes that a prior ethics investigation found no violations tied to the purchases.

Federal prosecutors also allege Cantrell and Vappie spent tens of thousands in city funds on romantic trips while Vappie remained on the city payroll as part of her security detail. Investigators believe their relationship began as early as October 2021.

Cantrell was married at the time to her late husband, Jason Cantrell, who died of a heart attack in 2023. Vappie’s former wife, Danielle, had previously accused Cantrell of breaking up their marriage.

Cantrell and Vappie are also accused of using WhatsApp to exchange encrypted messages and later deleting the conversations to avoid detection.

Cantrell’s attorneys filed a 164-page opposition to the prosecution’s claims earlier this month. The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg and Nicholas Dupuy Moses, with Wendy Vitter presiding.

Judge Vitter is expected to decide whether evidence tied to the alleged gifts will be admissible at trial, which is scheduled to begin in October.

Cantrell’s attorney Eddie Castaing filed a motion opposing the introduction of the new evidence in the upcoming trial.

He said that it was impossible to prove the ring was a gift, reported WDSU News

“The government will be unable to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the wearing of the ring by Ms. Cantrell, with permission of Mr. Vappie, constituted a gift under Louisiana law, as it was always with the condition, and understanding between them, that the ring was not a permanent transfer, or gift, and was being worn with the revocable condition that the ring was always subject to being returned to Mr. Vappie upon request, and, thus, not a delivered gift by law,” his motion reads.