LaToya Cantrell Becomes New Orleans’ First Indicted Mayor.

Once hailed for making history as the first Black woman mayor of New Orleans, Cantrell’s legacy has shifted.

On August 15, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell made unwanted history as the first sitting mayor in the city’s 300-year history to be criminally charged while in office. Federal prosecutors allege that Cantrell conspired for years to conceal an affair with her bodyguard, a cover-up they say involved deception and misuse of her position. She now faces serious charges of conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction, marking a dramatic fall from grace for a leader once celebrated as the city’s first Black female mayor.

According to CNN, Cantrell — set to leave office in roughly five months because of term limits — was once praised for breaking barriers as New Orleans’ first Black female mayor. Now, however, federal prosecutors portray her as the latest figure in a long line of corruption scandals to plague the city.

“For years, public corruption has weighed heavily on this city,” Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said, pointing to New Orleans’ long history of officials accused of wrongdoing. “This case is especially significant.”

Cantrell’s alleged paramour, Jeffery Vappie, has himself been charged with wire fraud and making false statements, charges which he has pleaded not guilty to.

Although the pair have maintained that their relationship was strictly professional, the indictment paints a picture of the two as constructing a “personal and intimate” relationship, using WhatsApp to communicate without being detected and then deleting the messages later.

According to Simpson, Cantrell and Vappie exchanged more than 15,000 messages on the platform, communications that allegedly included efforts to harass a citizen, destroy evidence, mislead FBI agents, and, ultimately, commit perjury before a federal grand jury.

Prosecutors allege that Cantrell and Vappie misused $70,000 in taxpayer funds to support Vappie’s repeated rendezvous with the mayor. According to Simpson, WhatsApp messages suggest Cantrell viewed the trips favorably, including one from September 2022 in which she wrote, “The times when we are truly (traveling) is what spoils me the most.”

Despite the mounting allegations, Cantrell and her supporters argue that the scrutiny she faces is fueled, at least in part, by her gender and race — a claim Simpson sharply rejected. “It’s irrelevant whether it involves romance or the fact that she is a woman,” Simpson said, calling the case “an incredible betrayal of the public’s trust in their own government.”

Cantrell, a Democrat, has faced mounting challenges to her leadership in her second term, barely surviving a 2022 recall effort while clashing with members of the city council.

Following her indictment, several key figures, including the City of New Orleans and multiple council members, issued statements in response, according to WDSU. In an official statement, the City noted: “The City of New Orleans is aware of today’s indictment against Mayor Cantrell. The Mayor’s attorney, Eddie Castaing, recently received the information and is thoroughly reviewing the document. Until his review is complete, the City will not comment further on this matter.”

“Everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence under the law, and Mayor Cantrell deserves that same consideration,” Councilman Joe Giarusso said, noting that the case will inevitably draw sensational attention because of her position. “This, unfortunately, will further disrupt the City’s operations. We should allow the facts to unfold and avoid rushing to judgment.”

Councilman Oliver Thomas echoed the call for patience, stressing the importance of allowing the justice system to proceed fairly and without political influence. “I’m praying for Mayor Cantrell, her family, and all New Orleanians,” Thomas said. “These are pivotal times for our city to get back on track and focus on building a community that thrives for everyone. Let us hope for a swift resolution that brings justice, while we remain united in confronting the challenges ahead.”