• New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on multiple charges including conspiracy and fraud.
• Her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, faces similar charges linked to their alleged affair.
• The indictment stems from claims of using public funds for personal activities.
• Cantrell is the first female mayor in New Orleans' 300-year history to be charged while in office.
• The charges could lead to multi-year prison sentences if they are found guilty.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted on Friday by a federal grand jury for conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction amid allegations that she attempted to conceal a romantic relationship with her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie. This case represents the conclusion of a lengthy investigation, with over $70,000 allegedly misappropriated for personal use during official trips. “This indictment reflects a years-long fraud scheme that used public money for personal ends,” said acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson, detailing the accusations during a press conference, according to Indiatimes, CBS News, and Al Jazeera.

The indictment includes allegations that Cantrell and Vappie commenced their "personal, intimate relationship" in October 2021, while he was serving as her bodyguard. They reportedly exchanged over 15,000 encrypted messages through WhatsApp to avoid detection, with Cantrell allegedly lying to federal agents about the functionality of her phone in relation to message deletions, authorities indicate. "The mayor's actions represent a severe betrayal of public trust," Simpson elaborated, noting that the timeline of their relationship coincided with public funds being used for personal activities, according to Los Angeles Times and BBC.

Cantrell has been characterized as the first female mayor to face charges while in office, a landmark in the history of the city. Following the indictment, a statement from her office noted that they are reviewing the charges, while she has not commented directly. City Council officials expressed their sadness over the situation, stating, “This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans,” a sentiment shared by many in the community, according to overarching reports from CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

The legal proceedings come as Cantrell, who is term-limited and set to leave office in January, faces mounting criticism amidst past conflicts with the City Council and a failed recall effort. Observers have commented on her diminishing public profile and the implications of the allegations on her legacy as the first female leader of New Orleans, a mayoral position she has held since 2018. “The public corruption has crippled us for years,” Simpson remarked, highlighting the pervasive issues of corruption in Louisiana politics as noted by various sources including Los Angeles Times, BBC, and Al Jazeera.