The mayor of New Orleans has been indicted on conspiracy, fraud and obstruction charges by a federal grand jury after a long-running investigation.
The charges released on Friday against LaToya Cantrell were based on accusations that she tried to hide a romantic relationship with bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie, who was paid as if on duty while the pair conducted their affair.
The indictment states that Cantrell and Vappie “developed a personal and intimate relationship” in 2021, defrauding the city as they attempted to “hide their relationship and maximise their time together”.
Acting United States Attorney Michael Simpson said the pair met in an apartment while Vappie claimed to be on duty, and that Cantrell had arranged for Vappie to attend 14 trips.
The trips, which included wine tasting at vineyards, were described by her as times “when they were truly alone”, said Simpson.
He dubbed the affair a “three-year fraud scheme that we allege exploited their public authority and positions”.
Cantrell allegedly lied in an affidavit that she had activated a function on her phone that automatically deleted messages in 2021, when she had not activated the feature until December 2022, one month after the media began speculating on the pair’s conduct.
When a private citizen took photos of the pair dining together and drinking wine, Cantrell filed a police report and sought a restraining order, said Simpson.
The mayor’s office didn’t immediately comment.
“This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans,” said Monet Brignac, a spokesperson for City Council President JP Morrell.
Vappie is accused of hiding a romantic relationship with Cantrell and filing false payroll records claiming he was on duty.
He has pleaded not guilty following his indictment on charges of wire fraud and making false statements.
Harry Brook’s 31-run knock, including an audacious first-ball scoop six, helped the Northern Superchargers to a 36-run win over the Birmingham Phoenix to stay top of the table in The Hundred men’s competition.
MATCH REPORT: Men’s Hundred 2025: Northern Superchargers v Birmingham Phoenix
EastEnder actor Nicholas Ball died ‘broke’ as his wife Ayda has been left with nothing from his will following his death last year aged 79 following a short illness
Actor Nicholas Ball left nothing to his wife Ayda following his death(Image: Jam Press/Ayda Kay)
EastEnders star Nicholas Ball left nothing to his wife following his death last year. The actor died aged 79 following a short illness and was known for portraying gang lord Terry Bates in the popular BBC soap.
His character is remembered for attacking Peggy Mitchell and causing havoc in the iconic Queen Victoria pub. Ball also appeared in Footballers’ Wives, where he took on the role of Garry Ryan, the club chairman and a former rockstar.
Despite his on screen success, record show Ball left no will and nothing in his estate. It comes after Darius Danesh’s ex-wife speaks out after pop star died after refusing operation.
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Ball’s estate has been revealed(Image: PA)
Administration of Ball’s estate was granted to his wife Ayda Kay, who he wed in 2019 after over two decades together. A High Court document reads: “The application has stated that the gross value of the estate in the United Kingdom amounts to £0 and the net value amounts to £0.”
In June last year, Ball’s agent revealed in a statement that he had “passed away following a short illness” and noted that his acting career, which spanned theatre and the small screen, was impressively long-standing across six decades.
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Ayda also shared a statement as she said at the time: “It is with the heaviest and broken of hearts, that I share the loss of my beloved Nicky-Nicholas Ball.”
Ball had been married to actress and psychologist Pamela Stephenson from 1978 to 1984, but she left him for comedian Billy Connolly.
Director Keith English paid tribute to him after his death, as he said: “Fabulous as star of hit TV show ‘Hazell’ in the 1980s, Nick was a terrific actor – kind and generous.
The actor died last year aged 79(Image: Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)
“He starred in our short film ‘Top Dog’ in 2001 in which he was great and we became life-long friends with him and his wife, Ayda Kay. Indeed, we were honoured when the pair of them asked if they could be married in our garden in 2019.
“A fabulous affair. One of our fondest memories was going to see Jerry Goldsmith play The Royal Albert Hall with him and his great friend Mel Smith.
“Mel had hired a box for the show. Both men were known hell-raisers and, sure enough, when the four of us rolled up they were both fairly merry and proceeded to football-chant ‘There’s only one Jerry Goldsmith!’ between musical pieces to an uneven response from the rest of the auditorium.
“Nick was a loving husband, friend and a wonderful actor. We enjoyed every minute of his company. Farewell and bon voyage.” His television credits extended to crime shows such as Jonathan Creek, Hustle, Heartbeat and Bergerac.
He also featured in comedies like Red Dwarf and The Young Ones, and the drama The Crezz. Ball secured roles in various film projects, including Overlord, Rogue Male, crime drama The Krays: Dead Man Walking; and an adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous.
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Hull KR put one hand on the League Leader’s Shield with a statement 10-6 victory over closest Super League chasers Wigan Warriors at a pulsating Brick Community Stadium.
In a thrilling encounter between the top two, which kept the crowd guessing until the last moment, the Robins held on under intense late pressure to establish a six-point lead with five games of the regular season to go.
A converted early try from Dean Hadley and two penalty kicks from the boot of Rhyse Martin had looked set to deliver a shutout for the Robins with six minutes to go.
But a battling finish from Wigan sparked by a try and conversion from Adam Keighran delivered a thrilling run to the hooter, but the hosts were unable to avoid a first home defeat by the Robins since 2021.
Two persons suspected to be kidnappers have been arrested in the Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The suspects identified as Yahaya Umar and Mohammed Umar were found in possession of an AK-47 rifle.
The arrest is sequel to credible intelligence on the activities of some suspected kidnappers in their hideout located at Mahadi forest of Gassol local council by the anti-kidnapping squad in collaboration with the hunters.
The breakthrough, according to a press statement issued by ASP James Lashen, acting Police Public Relations Officer in Taraba, is part of efforts to tackle kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.
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While the case is under investigation, the suspects are said to have confessed to be part of the syndicate terrorising Plateau and Taraba States lately.
The State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen, applauded the operatives for their swift action and reassured the public of the Command’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful Taraba.
Liverpool struck twice in the final minutes through Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah to overcome a battling Bournemouth 4-2 in a thrilling start to the Premier League season on Friday.
Antoine Semenyo looked to have rescued a point for the Cherries by scoring twice, after he had reported an incident of racial abuse from a fan, to cancel out Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo’s strikes for the defending champions.
But on an emotive night as Anfield remembered Diogo Jota, Chiesa was the unlikely hero as the injury-hit Italian fired the home side back in front before Salah rounded off the scoring.
Liverpool’s joy at celebrating a record-equalling 19th English top-flight title turned to tragedy during the off-season as forward Jota was killed alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car accident last month at the age of 28.
Just 11 days prior to the accident, the Portuguese international had married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children.
A large banner at the front of The Kop stand read: “Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda – Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Liverpool’s Dutch manager Arne Slot embraces Liverpool’s Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 15, 2025. Liverpool won the game 4-2. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
During a minute’s silence, fans held up a giant mosaic with the initials of Jota and Silva, who was also a footballer, and their shirt numbers in the Portuguese flag.
Despite romping to the title with four games to spare last season, Liverpool have undergone a major transformation in the transfer market, spending close to £300 million ($407 million).
Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong made their first competitive starts for the Reds.
More could be yet to come with Liverpool linked with a British transfer record move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and interested in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Liverpool’s Dutch striker #18 Cody Gakpo (R) vies with Bournemouth’s English midfielder #08 Alex Scott (L) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) /
The visitors were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men less than 15 minutes in when Marcos Senesi clearly directed the ball out of Ekitike’s path with his hand when the French striker had a clear run at goal, but VAR surprisingly did not intervene.
– Salah’s tears –
The game was briefly halted on the half hour mark as Semenyo reported to referee Anthony Taylor he had been the subject of racist abuse from a Liverpool supporter, who was seen to be removed from the stands by police at half-time.
Shortly after the resumption, Ekitike settled Liverpool’s nerves as he got the break of the ball and slotted past Dorde Petrovic.
Ekitike then got the assist for Liverpool’s second just after the break as Gakpo coolly left two Bournemouth defenders on the ground and rolled into the bottom corner.
Arne Slot’s men have struggled to find the right balance in pre-season and in losing the Community Shield to Palace last weekend as a new-look slick attack could not compensate for wide open defensive gaps on the counter-attack and so it proved again.
David Brooks broke the offside trap and squared for Semenyo to pull a goal back.
The Ghanaian then rounded off his eventful evening for good and bad with an incredible equaliser.
Semenyo collected possession just outside his own box and sprinted through a vacant Liverpool midfield before firing into the bottom corner 13 minutes from time.
Chiesa was barely used by Slot in his debut season in England but became the unlikely hero when he pounced on a loose ball inside the Bournemouth box on 89 minutes.
Salah then broke clear in stoppage time to score his customary goal in the opening game of the season and paid his own homage to Jota by mimicking one of his goal celebrations.
