New Orleans' Dem Mayor LaToya Cantrell is seen enjoying cozy dinner-a-deux with ... trends now
The Democrat mayor of New Orleans has been pictured enjoying a cozy dinner for two with a member of her taxpayer-funded bodyguard team.
Latoya Cantrell, 52, was seen dining on the balcony of a restaurant in the city's French Quarter last month while the member of her protection team was still on the clock.
The pictures, which showed Officer Jeffrey Vappie and Cantrell together at the restaurant were promptly forwarded to the Metropolitan Crime Commission (MCC), whose goal is to reduce crime and expose corruption throughout Louisiana.
Despite the pair appearing to consume alcohol (empty wine glasses were spotted at their table), records show that Vappie was supposed to be still on shift at the time of the dinner.
On the day the photo was taken, Vappie billed taxpayers for a full 12 hours of work - from 8am until 8pm. The dinner occurred at around 5:45pm on Sunday, April 7.
New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell, 52, was caught dining with her taxpayer-funded bodyguard Officer Jeffrey Vappie, prompting an investigation
Photos showed them enjoying alcohol during Vappie's supposed working hours, leading to his removal pending a probe by the New Orleans Police Department
The MCC has since filed a complaint with the New Orleans Police Department and pushed for an internal investigation to be launched.
Vappie has now been removed from the mayor's security team pending the NOPD administrative investigation into the dinner.
Depending on the outcome, it could see Vappie either being suspended or fired.
Vappie had been a detective with the City of New Orleans PD since 1997, according to his LinkedIn page.
Cantrell and Vappie had each previously denied any relationship beyond a professional working relationship of protector and protectee - but local news station Fox 8 found the pair spent hours together inside a grace and favor city-owned apartment in the French Quarter.
Bodyguards who spoke to the New Orleans Police Department as part of the investigation into Vappie, described Cantrell as a fiery, demanding boss who was overly familiar with her security detail, expecting them to act as her servants.
The incident only adds to existing federal scrutiny over 52-year-old LaToya Cantrell's past activities, including misuse of funds for first-class flights
In the past, Vappie (pictured) spent 112 hours at Cantrell's apartment over a 27 day stretch, and was even seen watering her plants
Vappie and the mayor are seen leaving the Upper Pontalba Building apartment together
Vappie and Cantrell are spotted walking together outside her stunning apartment in the French Quarter
Kristy Johnson-Stokes, an officer that worked with Cantrell, told investigators they would be asked to pick her daughter up from school, take her credit card to buy gifts from the department store and water her plants.
Vappie also spent 112 hours at her apartment over a 27-day stretch, and was even seen watering her plants.
Vappie and Cantrell were also recorded leaving the apartment separately late at night and spending hours of the working day inside together.
'This is a social event while he's on the clock, paid by the city of New Orleans. He is not following employment conflict policies, and he's not protecting the mayor, even though he's paid to protect her,' Rafael Goyeneche, President of the MCC said.
'This is a violation of the protocols of the executive protection as well. If it's on-duty or off-duty -- either way you slice it -- I believe it's a violation of departmental rules, policies and protocols,' Goyeneche said.
