Charges possible in Mayor Cantrell case, says crime watchdog

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Federal charges could soon be filed in the investigation into Mayor LaToya Cantrell, according to a criminal investigation agency.

Matt Coman, the former federal prosecutor in the Ray Nagin case, explains the process behind such an indictment.

“In a case of public corruption, the investigation can take several months, up to 18 months,” Coman said.

He believes a federal grand jury has been meeting downtown for some time. The jury is made up of men and women from 13 communities around Lake Pontchartrain.

“Under federal law, it consists of 16 to 23 people, and 12 of those people must always vote together to bring charges against a person,” Coman explained.

A recent subpoena issued to FOX 8 by the federal government as part of the investigation into Mayor Cantrell and former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie has led Rafael Goyeneche, head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, to conclude that criminal charges are imminent.

“That indicates to me that this investigation is coming to an end,” Goyeneche said.

The summons demanded all “Outside the Office” by Lee Zurik Reports have been broadcast since February 22 of this year.

It includes two key stories: one shows Cantrell and Vappie eating dinner on the balcony of a French Quarter restaurant while Vappie stands under the NOPD clock, and another, set in 2022, shows Cantrell and Vappie in the bar of the Doris Metropolitan, with Vappie’s hand resting on a filled wine glass, also while standing under the NOPD clock.

“They’re going to present this to a grand jury. And that’s part of the government’s argument. When they subpoena these documents, they want to present to the grand jury that they’re seeking an indictment,” Goyeneche added.

Coman explained the role of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in this case.

“So the grand jury decides if and when to indict, but there is an integral part of that process and that is the counsel, the federal prosecutor, who brings the indictment, presents the evidence beforehand and then asks for the indictment to be returned,” Coman said.

Once a decision is made, the charges will be presented to the federal judge.

OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

“Technically, only the foreman or his designee needs to be present during this process, and the returned indictment is then presented to the U.S. Justice of the Peace for acceptance,” Coman explained.

The charges will then be read in court and will be public. Dillard’s political analyst Dr. Robert Collins commented on the implications of the investigation.

“This is such a distraction for the citizens of New Orleans,” Collins said. “To have this investigation just hanging over the mayor’s office, casting a shadow and causing rumors to circulate at City Hall is not healthy because it disrupts people’s business.”

After the indictment, a federal court summons or arrest warrant may be issued. Typically, the person will appear in court shortly after the indictment to answer the charges.

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