New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is under investigation for a trip to Dubai in December for a climate conference with her bodyguard, billing taxpayers in excess of $14,000 for his travel expenses.

She’s allegedly having an affair with NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie, according to the New York Post. This is on top of other numerous scandals that have plagued the mayor.

Vappie has been reportedly reinstated as Cantrell’s official security guard and is still a police officer following an investigation, according to Nola.com.

“The NOPD’s internal investigation into Vappie resulted in two letters of reprimand, though a federal monitor blasted NOPD for ignoring evidence of misconduct and failing to consider a ‘wealth of circumstantial evidence’ against the officer,” the outlet wrote.

(Video Credit: WVUE FOX 8 New Orleans)

The FBI is looking into the time the two spent at a private apartment at work and off the clock. It’s rumored that the clandestine relationship led to Vappie’s divorce, according to Fox 8.

“While a mayoral group footed most of Cantrell’s $24,000 tab, Louisiana taxpayers funded Vappie’s airfare, hotel, and other expenses totaling $14,000, according to the media outlet who pointed out the two were the only members of the New Orleans delegation to fly to Dubai.

Cantrell traveled first class on the flight while her bodyguard was reportedly forced to fly coach.

Rumors of the affair have been swirling since November. Vappie admitted the affair to his wife according to court papers. His wife has since filed for divorce and is accusing the duo of a sexual relationship.

“Vappie’s wife, Danielle, alleges that her husband and the mayor have been carrying on the affair since May 2021, the same month that he began working on Cantrell’s detail,” the Daily Mail reported.

“Both parties have denied trysting at a city-owned apartment — despite video surveillance showing them entering and exiting the residence together at all hours,” the New York Post reported.

(Video Credit: WVUE FOX 8 New Orleans)

The mayor has denied the affair repeatedly, throwing the gender and race card while doing so. She told a NOLA.com reporter that she was being persecuted because she’s a woman.

“Based on the false allegations that come my way, by the time I’ve finished this job, literally, (I’ll be) accused of sleeping with half of the city of New Orleans,” she proclaimed at a press conference in January. “Both genders and all pronouns.”

“If I were a MAN you would NOT be texting me about this bulls***,” she snapped at a local reporter over the affair allegations, according to the Daily Mail.

At a press conference, Cantrell addressed what she called “investigations or targeting,” which she claimed were “prevalent relative to black leadership.”

“I have always complied and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I do note that this seems to be kind of prevalent relative to black leadership, and I think that I’m not exempt from that,” the mayor asserted.

BREAKING – ANOTHER SEX SCANDAL: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is under FBI investigation for an alleged relationship with police officer Jeffrey Vappie. The probe includes a taxpayer-funded trip to Dubai costing over $15,000, report says.

NOTE: Cantrell is also facing… pic.twitter.com/P2jiK2HxWf

— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) January 23, 2024

Cantrell and Vappie have been prohibited from using the Upper Pontalba residence after the video footage showing them together there surfaced. The City Council contends that the apartment is meant to be used for meetings with visiting dignitaries, not long-term personal use.

The mayor has previously come under fire for making personal purchases on city credit card accounts. There was also a recall effort that attempted to force her out of office but it didn’t get enough signatures to trigger a vote.

“New Orleans political observers have drawn parallels between Cantrell’s entanglement and former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, who was forced to resign in 2018 after admitting an affair with a married member of her security detail,” the New York Post noted.

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