Judge prohibits any contact between Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Jeffrey Vappie without attorney present

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Federal magistrate Judge Donna Phillips heard arguments from prosecutors and Former New Orleans police officer Jeffrey Vappie’s attorney in a request to allow him to have contact with Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

This comes a day after Cantrell filed a separate motion to get permission from a judge to update her bond conditions to allow her to speak with Vappie without an attorney present.

Both were recently indicted for being in an alleged romantic relationship.

Ahead of the court hearing, the mayor’s attorney, Eddie Castaing, was present. He says it’s Cantrell’s constitutional right to be able to speak to Vappie.

In court, Vappie’s attorney, Harry Rosenberg, argued that the superseding indictment does not constitute a change in bond conditions.

The court has granted the government’s request to prohibit contact—without attorney supervision—between former senior police officer Vappie and New Orleans Mayor Cantrell.

However, prosecutors argued they should have limited contact with an attorney present to limit contact and prevent potential collusion ahead of their joint trial.

Judge Phillips agreed with prosecutors’ ruling that Cantrell and Vappie must follow bond conditions, only communicating with a lawyer present.

Cantrell is set to be in court for a hearing on Nov. 18. Both are expected to start their trial on Oct. 19, 2026.

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