Jeffrey Vappie, a former New Orleans police officer, is currently under investigation by the Public Integrity Bureau for his actions while working as a bodyguard for Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Reports suggest that Vappie may have violated department policies, including allegations of drinking alcohol while on duty. The investigations are looking into whether his conduct breached the standards expected of police officers, as stated by WDSU.
According to documents obtained by NOLA, Vappie was seen drinking with Mayor Cantrell at a French Quarter restaurant while he was supposed to be on duty, as indicated by videos and receipts from the establishment. In another incident, photographs shared with the Metropolitan Crime Commission led to an investigation that confirmed Vappie drinking on duty and engaging in what was described as "overly charismatic manner" behavior with the mayor at Doris Metropolitan.
The investigations have accumulated evidence against Vappie, including purported plans to share a hotel room with Cantrell for a trip to Singapore that ultimately did not take place, suggesting a personal relationship. "He was basically being paid to date the mayor and entertain the mayor, and that is potentially wire fraud and payroll fraud, in that, because he’s not performing his duties, that he’s being compensated to perform as a police officer," Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission told WGNO.
NOLA reported that Transcendent Law Group's investigation outlined a "pattern of conduct over several years" with sustained New Orleans Police Department policy breaches including the use of alcohol on duty and failure to perform his duty. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick validated eight sustained violations against Vappie after his retirement. Both Vappie, and Mayor Cantrell have denied wrongdoing in response to the allegations.
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