New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been charged with federal crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. The charges stem from her alleged romantic relationship with Jeffrey Paul Bappy II, a former officer in the New Orleans Police Department. Prosecutors claim that Cantrell and Bappy devised a scheme to disguise personal outings as official duties, leading to fraudulent use of city funds, including approximately $70,000 spent on their trips together.
The pair reportedly exchanged over 15,000 messages via WhatsApp, and their relationship is portrayed as both personal and intimate by the prosecution. Cantrell, who is serving her last term as the city’s first female mayor, has not commented on the charges, and her lawyers stated they had not seen the details yet. The scandal has been described as a sad day for the people of New Orleans, as the city grapples with the implications of the allegations amidst Cantrell’s turbulent tenure.
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