New Orleans mayor and bodyguard accused of fraud and corruption

Mayor of New Orleans and her bodyguard has been accused of fraud and corruption for claiming public funds to nourish supposed romance.

Prosecutors said Latoya Cantrell developed a “personal, intimate relationship” with Jeffrey Wapi since October 2021, while he was part of her protection team.

Since then, until his retirement in June 2024, the couple has been accused of claiming that G -n Vappie was on duty when they were actually engaged in “personal activities”, including during 14 separate domestic and international trips.

Neither Cantrell nor the Vappie have publicly commented on the allegations.

The city of New Orleans told the Associated Press that he was aware of the allegations and that the mayor’s lawyer was examining them.

Federal prosecutors claim that Cantrell and Mr Vappie have used a sure messaging platform and its automatic deletion function while exchanging thousands of messages to “continue their continuous fraud.”

This allowed the couple to hide their relationship and their alleged illegal activity, prosecutors said.

While in New Orleans, they treated an apartment owned by the city as their personal, shared residence and spent time there together until Mr. Wapi claims to be on duty and paid for his protection for protection, prosecutors say.

It is alleged that the two have taken personal trips – including a vineyard in California to participate in wine tasting – while G -N Vappie has been on duty to “increase his time together” at a price of $ 70,000.

When asked about these trips, Cantal had previously said she had brought a bodyguard with her as a matter of safety because of the Covid pandemic. Prosecutors challenge this claim and cited occasions when she was traveling alone.

US lawyer Michael Simpson said their relationship is not a crime, but reflects a “long -standing fraud scheme that uses public money for personal purposes, using their power and authority,” according to CBS News, the US BBC partner.

At an undisclosed moment in their relationship, a member of the public took pictures of Cantrell and G -n Vappie Dining together, while the latter is said to be on duty.

Cancer filed a police report and demanded a restrictive order against the individual, prosecutors say.

The two are also accused of frightening subordinates, lying to the FBI agents and making false testimony, making false statements to a large jury – which decide whether the accusations should be raised in some cases in the United States.

If found guilty, one of the charges could bring many years of sentences and fines to $ 250,000 (184,000 British pounds).

Cantrell, Democrat, is the first woman mayor of New Orleans in the 300-year history of the city, serving since 2018. She is ready to leave the office in January.