The mayor of New Orleans and the lover of the bodyguard accused of fraud and corruption

The mayor of New Orleans and her personal guard were accused of fraud and corruption for the allegations they used by public funds to feed the alleged romance.

Prosecutors said on Friday that Latoya Cantell developed a “personal and intimate relationship” with Jeffrey Fabi from October 2021, while it was part of her protection team.

Since then, until he retired in June 2024, the couple has been accused of claiming that Mr. Fabi was in service when they were actually participating in “personal activities”, including during 14 separate local and international trips.

Nor Katril, Mr. Fabi, was publicly commented on the allegations.

New Orleans told the Associated Press that she was aware of the charge and that the mayor’s lawyer was reviewing it.

Federal Public Prosecutors claimed that Cantrell and MR. Vapie used WhatsApp and the automatic delay function with thousands of messages “to perpetuate persistent fraud”.

The prosecutors said that this allowed the husband to hide their relationship and their alleged illegal activity.

While they were in New Orleans, they dealt with an apartment owned by the city as a personal and joint residence and spent time there while Mr. Vappie claimed that he was in service and was paid for his work in protection, as the prosecutors claim.

It was also said that the two made personal trips – including the Chromat Karam in California to participate in the tasting of wine – while Mr. Fabi was in the service “to increase their time together”, at a cost of $ 70,000.

When asked about these trips, Cantell previously said that she had brought a personal guard with her as a safety issue because of the roaming epidemic. Public prosecutors are competing for this claim, and they cited occasions when she traveled alone.

American lawyer Michael Simpson said that their relationship does not constitute a crime, but it reflected a “fraudulent scheme for a year that consumes public funds to achieve personal funds by exploiting their strength and authority,” according to the CBS News partner, the American PBC partner.

At an unannounced point in their relationship, a member of the public took pictures of Cantrell and Mr. Vapie to eat together while it was said to be the latter in the service.

Cantrell presented a police report and sought a restriction against the individual.

The two also accused the subordinate intimidation, lying to the FBI agents and committing the right to the right by making false statements to a major jury – which decides whether the charges should be brought in some cases in the United States.

If convicted, none of the charges may bring a multi -year prison sentence and fines of up to $ 250,000 (184,000 pounds).

Cantrell, a democracy, is the first mayor in New Orleans in the history of the city of 300 years, after it has served since 2018. It is scheduled to leave the office in January.