Analysts: Prosecutions and investigations disrupt city operations

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Political analysts warn that an indictment against former New Orleans police officer Jeffrey Vappie and ongoing investigations into Mayor LaToya Cantrell could hamper the city’s daily operations with many major events looming.

Dillard University political analyst Dr. Robert Collins criticized the situation after a federal grand jury indicted him, saying Vappie lied to the FBI when she claimed she had an inappropriate romantic relationship with the mayor and provided false time sheets to cover up the time they spent together.

“As long as these investigations hang like a dark cloud over City Hall, they disrupt taxpayers’ daily operations and their jobs simply don’t get done,” he said.

The word “mayor” appears 28 times in the 17-page indictment, which charges Vappie with seven counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements. Cantrell is referred to as “Public Official 1” another 40 times.

“If I were the mayor of the city, I wouldn’t feel comfortable tonight,” Collins added.

Political analyst Mike Sherman says Cantrell’s focus on political defensiveness and withdrawal from public life distracts him from running the city’s affairs.

“When an indictment by a United States grand jury is possible and the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI are clearly investigating you, it makes it almost impossible for our mayor to carry on business as usual,” he said.

While there are usually few tourists in the city of New Orleans during the summer months, blockbuster events are just around the corner.

Eric Church is scheduled to headline the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff on August 31. The Saints open the regular season on October 8 at the Superdome. Pop music megastar Taylor Swift, who brings a cheap steroid shot with her, takes over the city for three consecutive nights from October 25-27.

New Orleans is hosting the Super Bowl next February, right before the Mardi Gras marathon. And all of this could happen while the incumbent mayor is under indictment in federal court and awaiting criminal trial.

Charges against Jeffrey Vappie

Outside the office

A series of Fox 8 investigations into Mayor LaToya Cantrell and former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie and their time together both on and off work

Sherman says the charges present legal and ethical conflicts of interest.

“There were a lot of secret backroom deals, secret backroom meetings that were inappropriate, regardless of the outcome,” he said.

Former NOPD interim superintendent Michelle Woodfork was allegedly pressured by Cantrell to drop an internal investigation into Vappie’s timesheets. The indictment suggests Woodfork’s refusal may have cost her the permanent superintendent position. Prosecutors say Cantrell told Woodfork in a meeting in front of Vappie that she would not accept the mayor’s nomination for the job, and Vappie invited Woodfork to a daiquiri shop to “soften her disappointment.”

The indictment states that Vappie and Cantrell exchanged and deleted messages expressing their love and affection for each other.

Collins describes the mayor as an accomplice and wonders what consequences distrust could have on the community she is supposed to serve.

“If the mayor lied about her relationship, what else did she lie about?” he asked.

He says the problems need to be resolved immediately.

“We just have to move on and resolve this situation once and for all,” Collins said.

Cantrell has hired Eddie Castaing, a renowned white collar criminal defense attorney, suggesting she expects charges to be brought.

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