Jeffrey Vappie, former NOPD officer and member of mayor’s security, is indicted
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Former New Orleans Police Department officer and member of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s security detail team, 52-year-old Jeffrey Vappie, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on Friday, July 19.
The information has been confirmed by the United States Attorney’s Office.
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Vappie faces seven counts of wire fraud, along with perpetrating a scheme to defraud the New Orleans Police Department and making false statements to agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Vappie, who recently retired in June after serving with NOPD since 1997, was assigned to serve as a member of the Executive Protection Unit for Cantrell.
In the past, Vappie has been the subject of possible payroll fraud investigations that alleged that during his appointment with HANO, he violated NOPD policy by billing the city for police work while sitting in board meetings.
He was also the subject of an investigation by the PIB surrounding Cantrell’s use of the Upper Pontalba Apartment, where he would frequently accompany her to while on and off duty.
According to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Vappie and a prominent city official, who’s widely believed to be Cantrell, were involved in a romantic relationship. It’s alleged that he falsified his timecards by disguising the relationship as part of the duties and responsibilities of the EPU.
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Additionally, Vappie allegedly worked to cover up his personal activities, including eating meals and drinking, while recorded to be on the clock as a member of EPU. Records additionally show he would travel with Cantrell and exchange personal messages.
During the investigation, it was noted that Vappie attempted to influence the interim superintendent of NOPD into exonerating him. But during an interview, he allegedly made several false statements, saying he had never had a relationship with the official nor did he ever kiss or say he loved them.
This comes around the time Vappie was seen on two occasions dining with Cantrell at an establishment in the French Quarter.
Following the investigations, no major violations were found and he was reinstated to the official’s security detail.
This led to the Office of Inspector General for the City of New Orleans opening and concluding its investigation into an alleged breach of confidentiality against Vappie.
Vappie made headlines earlier this week after a complaint was filed against him and three current NOPD officers for allegedly leaking the personal information of Anne Breaud.
In a complaint made to the New Orleans Police Department’s Public Integrity Bureau, her social security number, an outdated OMV photo and her arrest information were allegedly given to the mayor.
DOJ officials say that for every charge of the wire fraud, Vappie faces up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, up to $250,000 in fines and a $100 mandatory assessment fee.
For the falsified statements, he faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, $250,000 in fines and a $100 assessment fee.
City of New Orleans officials released the following statement regarding the case, saying, “Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and out of respect for the integrity of the process, we will withhold any comments at this time.”
Take a look below to read the 17-page indictment in its entirety.
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