A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell after a long corruption investigation.
She was indicted on fraud, conspiracy and obstruction charges in a probe into allegations that she tried to hide a romantic relationship with her bodyguard.
The indictment is the culmination of a long-running federal investigation into the first female mayor in the city’s 300-year history.
Her bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie II, has pleaded not guilty following his indictment on charges of wire fraud and making false statements.
He is accused of hiding a romantic relationship with Cantrell and filing false payroll records claiming he was on duty.
Vappie, who retired from the police department last year, is scheduled to stand trial in January.