What do we know about Jeffrey Vappie? Indicted former NOPD officer and alleged boyfriend of Orleans mayor Latoya Cantrell

Jeffrey Vappie’s name, once relatively unknown outside New Orleans law enforcement circles, is now central to one of the city’s most high-profile political scandals in recent memory. A former New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officer and trusted member of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s executive security detail, Vappie faces multiple federal charges tied to allegations of fraud, falsified records, and misuse of public funds, all allegedly linked to his personal relationship with the mayor.

Vappie’s career in law enforcement saw him rise to a position of close proximity to the city’s highest elected official. As part of Mayor Cantrell’s executive security team, his duties included protecting the mayor during official engagements, accompanying her on trips, and ensuring her safety both in New Orleans and during out-of-town events.

His role required trust and discretion, qualities that made the later allegations all the more shocking. That trust began to unravel in 2022, when a FOX 8 investigative report revealed that Vappie had spent long stretches inside the Upper Pontalba apartment with Cantrell during his on-duty hours.


Surveillance logs, access records, and timestamped footage suggested he was being paid for time he did not work.

The Federal allegations

Federal prosecutors claim that Vappie falsified official NOPD timesheets to hide hours spent at the apartment with Cantrell and on trips that allegedly prioritized personal time over official duties.

A superseding indictment filed on August 15, 2025, expands the scope of these claims, citing newly obtained communications and documents.

Prosecutors say the false records were part of a years-long scheme to conceal the nature of his relationship with Cantrell, a relationship the indictment describes as inappropriate, despite public denials from both parties.

Evidence cited includes more than 15,000 WhatsApp messages exchanged between them, as well as pressure allegedly exerted by Cantrell on former NOPD Interim Superintendent Michelle Woodfork to halt an internal probe into Vappie’s conduct.

Charges, career fallout, and public spotlight

Vappie was first indicted in July 2024. He faces 15 charges in total, including one each for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, making a false statement to the FBI, and twelve counts of wire fraud, according to the Axios.

He was placed on administrative leave during the investigation and later resigned from the NOPD.

Cantrell's 11 charges include one each for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice; two for making a false declaration before a grand jury; and six for wire fraud.

Despite the mounting legal troubles and public scrutiny, Vappie has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence.