NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A superseding federal indictment alleges New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie carried out a years‑long fraud scheme that used city funds for personal purposes, including concealing a romantic relationship, while Vappie was on the mayor’s executive protection detail.

Prosecutors say the pair exchanged more than 15,000 WhatsApp messages, photos and audio clips in eight months, arranged at least 14 domestic and international trips and charged over $70,000 in travel to the city as Vappie claimed on‑duty hours. The filing alleges they used WhatsApp to intimidate subordinates, harass a citizen, delete evidence, mislead investigators and give false statements to a federal grand jury.

The 18-count indictment also alleges Cantrell pres

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