Bodyguard tries hiding relationship with New Orleans mayor, traveled with her, feds say
A former New Orleans police officer is accused of having a romantic relationship with the city’s mayor — and developing that relationship while on the job as her bodyguard, according to federal prosecutors.
Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, 52, tried hiding his romantic involvement with Mayor LaToya Cantrell by saying time spent with her was a part of his duties as a member of the city’s Executive Protection Unit, prosecutors said.
He’s accused of submitting fake time cards to the New Orleans Police Department and lying to the FBI, telling agents in July 2023 that he never kissed Cantrell or told her he loved her, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
According to an indictment, Vappie said he was working when he and Cantrell dined and shared alcoholic drinks at restaurants, when they were together inside a city apartment and when he went on at least 14 trips with her between September 2021 and March 2024.
Vappie’s travels with Cantrell include visits to California; Washington, D.C.; Scotland and the United Arab Emirates — all paid for by the city of New Orleans, the indictment says.
The “purported work-related trips” cost more than $47,000, according to the filing.
Vappie was indicted July 19 on seven counts of wire fraud and making false statements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
His defense attorneys Harry Rosenberg and Shaun Clarke told McClatchy News on July 22 that “Vappie is innocent of the charges against him.”
“He is eager to defend himself in court and clear his name,” they said in an emailed statement.
Cantrell’s press secretary Leatrice Dupré shared a statement from New Orleans in response to McClatchy News’ request for comment July 22.
“Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and out of respect for the integrity of the process, we will withhold any comments at this time,” the city said in the statement.
Attention from the media
Vappie’s indictment follows public scrutiny related to his interactions with Cantrell, according to the indictment.
In November 2022, local New Orleans news outlets published reports about Vappie and “his frequent and lengthy presence inside” an apartment with Cantrell, the indictment says.
The Metropolitan Crime Commission, a Louisiana non-profit that works to expose public corruption, has filed two complaints against Vappie over his involvement with Cantrell, WVUE-DT reported.
A recent complaint was filed in connection with photos taken of Vappie and Cantrell, including one that showed them eating together on a balcony at a restaurant in the French Quarter, according to the news station.
“What that picture depicts is that he was on the clock for the City of New Orleans — sitting at a bar while on duty — which meant that he’s carrying a firearm and he’s consuming alcohol,” MCC’s President Rafael Goyeneche told WVUE-DT.
Romantic texts and online searches
According to the indictment, Vappie and Cantrell messaged each other romantically, texting each other photos, exchanging voice messages and messages over the platform WhatsApp.
One photo they shared with each other was included in the indictment, showing a handwritten letter.
“It’s 3pm as I write in our book,” the letter says in part.
“You got me baby and it feels so good! It’s crazy,” part of the letter also says, according to the indictment.
Online searches made by Vappie are also mentioned in the indictment, including searches about “an alleged affair involving the former mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, and a member of her security detail and the subsequent criminal prosecution.”
He’s also accused of searching “(H)ow secure is whatsapp,’” the indictment shows.
The resignation
Vappie worked as a New Orleans police officer for nearly 30 years, according to prosecutors, who said he resigned in June.
Before his resignation, he was under an administrative investigation, prosecutors said.
He’s accused of trying to persuade the interim superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department to exonerate him in relation to the investigation, prosecutors said.
“The NOPD fully cooperates with federal authorities and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability and integrity,” the department said in a statement to McClatchy News on July 22.
“We are dedicated to maintaining the trust of our community through transparency and unwavering service.”
If Vappie is convicted on all counts of wire fraud, he would face up to 20 years in prison for each count, prosecutors said.
If he’s convicted of making false statements, he would face up to five years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
This story was originally published July 22, 2024 at 1:11 PM with the headline "Bodyguard tries hiding relationship with New Orleans mayor, traveled with her, feds say."
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