That indictment, returned at the federal courthouse Friday, accuses Cantrell of 11 counts including wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to a federal grand jury in pursuit of continuing her amorous relationship with her alleged beau, former New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffrey Vappie.

The indictment is the culmination of a long-running federal corruption investigation into Cantrell, the first female mayor in the city’s 300-year history.

Stephanie Grace, editorial director and columnist for The Times-Picayune and The Advocate, joined Louisiana Considered to break down the charges and discuss what lies ahead for the mayor.