XPost: neworleans.general, alt.politics.democrats, alt.fan.rush-limbaugh   
   XPost: sac.politics, talk.politics.guns   
   From: yourdime@outlook.com   
      
   Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson recently announced the indictment   
   of New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell and former NOPD Officer Jeffrey   
   Vappie on federal charges including wire fraud and obstruction of justice.   
   The indictment, delivered on Friday, alleges a complex scheme to defraud   
   the city by exploiting Vappie's employment and Cantrell's mayoral   
   authority. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, between October 2021   
   and June 2024, Vappie was allegedly paid for duties he did not perform,   
   instead engaging in personal activities with Cantrell, often while   
   claiming to be on duty.   
      
   As detailed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Cantrell and Vappie are accused   
   to have gone to significant lengths to hide their actions, including the   
   exchange of over 15,000 messages through secure platforms, intimidation of   
   subordinates, and false statements to federal agents. The indictment   
   contends that Vappie unjustly received over $70,000 for travel expenses   
   alone. During one instance, they extended a trip to San Francisco solely   
   to visit Napa Valley wineries, another effort to maximize personal time   
   together under the pretext of official duties. Such actions directly   
   contradict the responsibilities and trust placed in public servants, a   
   sentiment echoed by Simpson, who emphasized that an indictment is merely a   
   charge and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.   
      
   In a further misuse of power, Cantrell and Vappie allegedly manipulated   
   the municipal resources to facilitate their relationship, using a city-   
   owned apartment as their personal abode. Furthermore, on at least 14   
   occasions, Vappie accompanied Cantrell on trips which were characterized   
   in private messages as special moments of isolation. This all-encompassing   
   betrayal extended to the falsification of official records and   
   obstructionist tactics, including an alleged pressured reassignment of   
   Vappie to the executive protection detail after an NOPD internal   
   investigation found him at fault, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s   
   Office.   
      
   The indictment details serious repercussions if Cantrell and Vappie are   
   convicted, potentially facing substantial prison time and fines. For the   
   wire fraud conspiracy, each defendant could face up to five years in   
   prison, and for each wire fraud count, up to twenty years. The charges of   
   obstruction of justice carry a similar weight. These potential sentences   
   underscore the gravity of the accusations against them, designed to deter   
   any who would boldly attempt to similarly exploit their office. Both   
   defendants will be required to navigate the process ahead, which may   
   potentially conclude in their entanglement within the very justice system   
   they are accused of obstructing, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.   
      
   https://hoodline.com/2025/08/new-orleans-mayor-latoya-cantrell-and-former-   
   nopd-officer-jeffrey-vappie-indicted-on-charges-of-wire-fraud-and-   
   obstruction-of-justice/   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)