XPost: neworleans.general, sac.politics, soc.support.fat-acceptance   
   XPost: talk.politics.guns   
   From: oink@nicole.wallace   
      
   Former New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffrey Vappie is accused of   
   falsifying timesheets, lying to the FBI and taking other actions to   
   conceal his romantic relationship with Mayor LaToya Cantrell for years,   
   federal prosecutors said Friday in an indictment.   
      
   Why it matters: This is the most in-depth look into the alleged affair,   
   which Vappie and Cantrell have both denied, and rumored federal   
   investigations around it.   
      
   The big picture: Vappie, who was a part of Cantrell's security detail, was   
   indicted Friday on seven counts of wire fraud and another count of making   
   false statements to the FBI, according to U.S. Attorney Duane Evans.   
      
   Vappie retired last month amid the federal investigation and a separate   
   internal investigation into photos of him and Cantrell having a meal on   
   the balcony of Tableau.   
      
   What they're saying: Cantrell and Vappie have both previously denied   
   allegations they are romantically involved.   
      
   The mayor's press secretary on Friday said the city will not be commenting   
   "due to the ongoing nature of the investigation."   
      
   NOPD said it is fully cooperating with federal authorities and "remains   
   committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability and   
   integrity."   
      
   Meanwhile, Cantrell has not been charged with any wrongdoing, but she is   
   mentioned throughout the 17-page indictment as "Public Official 1."   
      
   She is rumored to be the target of another federal investigation.   
   Prosecutors are looking into allegations of bribery, according to WWL and   
   NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.   
      
   It's unclear if or when any charges will be brought forth and what they   
   might be.   
      
   Between the lines: Vappie's wife filed for divorce in January 2023 and   
   accused him of having an affair with Cantrell in the documents, Fox 8   
   reported at the time.   
      
   Cantrell's husband, Jason, died in August 2023 from a heart attack. They   
   were a month shy of 24 years of marriage.   
      
   Zoom out: These are five takeaways from the federal indictment against   
   Vappie.   
      
   Romantic relationship: Vappie and Cantrell's romantic relationship started   
   as early as November 2021, prosecutors say. He is accused of attempting to   
   disguise the relationship as part of his duties of protecting the mayor,   
   including falsifying timecards and deleting messages.   
      
   FBI interview: Agents interviewed Vappie at his home a year ago and   
   prosecutors say he lied when saying he never had a physical relationship   
   with Cantrell, had never kissed her and had never told her he loved her.   
      
   Internet searches: Vappie is accused of searching for Fox 8 reporter Lee   
   Zurik's address after the journalist began reporting about his time at the   
   Upper Pontalba apartment with Cantrell, the station reports. He also is   
   accused of searching for details about a Nashville mayor accused of having   
   an affair.   
      
   Time together: Vappie and Cantrell are accused of eating meals and   
   drinking alcohol together in restaurants while he said he was working. He   
   also accompanied her on at least 14 international and domestic trips that   
   were purported to be work-related, the indictment says.   
      
   Internal investigation: Prosecutors accuse Vappie of trying to influence   
   interim NOPD superintendent Michelle Woodfork into exonerating him during   
   an international investigation. She didn't, and prosecutors allege that   
   factored into why Cantrell did not select her for the permanent job.   
      
   What's next: Vappie heads to court on the charges. He faces up to 20 years   
   in prison and up to $250,000 in fines for each count of wire fraud.   
      
   For the count of false statements, he faces up to five years and a   
   $250,000 fine.   
      
   https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/19/mayor-latoya-cantrell-   
   jeffrey-vappie-indictment-federal-charges   
      
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