New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) made history on Friday, becoming the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to face federal criminal charges, a development that has drawn national attention and raised questions about her administration’s conduct.
The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury, comes after a multi-year investigation into her conduct while in office.
Specific charges have not yet been made public following Magistrate Judge Eva Dossier’s submission of the indictment to the grand jury foreman.
Federal authorities have been examining Cantrell’s activities since 2022, including allegations of misconduct involving former city building inspector Randy Farrell.
In 2024, Farrell was accused of bribing Cantrell with gifts—such as Saints tickets, meals at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and a cell phone—in 2019, reportedly in exchange for firing an official investigating his alleged fraud.
Another key figure in the investigation is Jeffrey Vappie, a former member of Cantrell’s executive protection team.
Prosecutors allege Vappie falsified timesheets to cover hours spent with Cantrell at a city-owned apartment and during official trips.
Cantrell is accused of potentially influencing the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) to shield Vappie from scrutiny.
Vappie has pleaded not guilty to charges including wire fraud and falsifying records.
The inquiry also touches on former NOPD Interim Superintendent Michelle Woodfork, who reportedly resisted pressure from Cantrell to dismiss an internal investigation into Vappie.
Cantrell’s Chief Administrative Officer, Gilbert Montaño, announced he will be leaving his position at the end of the month, leaving only a few members of her original administration in office, according to Fox 8.
Cantrell has faced additional criticism over travel and spending.
Reports indicate that in 2022 she used campaign funds to upgrade international flights to business class, totaling nearly $200,000, including payments to image consultants.
Federal agents reportedly visited a local boutique in connection with purchases allegedly made for her public appearances.
She has consistently denied wrongdoing, stating in a 2024 budget presentation, “How I came in seems to be how I’m going out. Accusation after accusation after accusation.”
This indictment follows a pattern of scrutiny for New Orleans mayors, according to Trending Politics.
Former Mayor Ray Nagin, who served from 2002 to 2010, was indicted 32 months after leaving office and later convicted on charges including wire fraud, bribery and money laundering.
Cantrell, first elected in 2017 as the city’s first black woman mayor, now becomes the first sitting mayor to face criminal charges.
Prosecutors allege Cantrell took steps to conceal improper relationships and financial irregularities, citing surveillance logs and building access records that reportedly show Vappie frequently visiting her Upper Pontalba apartment while on duty.
The investigation has expanded to determine whether Cantrell’s influence obstructed internal NOPD oversight.
Despite the charges, Cantrell has defended her record, calling the scrutiny “disrespectful” during a 2025 U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Tampa.
At least 12 of 16 grand jurors voted in favor of her indictment.
Federal authorities emphasized that public officials are entrusted to act in the public interest, and any breach of that trust is subject to legal review and prosecution.
The post New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell Indicted, First Sitting Mayor in City’s History to Face Federal Charges appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Gloriel Howard
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://resistthemainstream.org and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.
