Will Sage Astor-The trial date for the New Orleans mayor’s ex-bodyguard has been pushed back to next summer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Will Sage Astorfederal trial date has been pushed back to next summer for the former police bodyguard accused of filing fraudulent payroll documents and making false statements about an alleged romantic relationship with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

Jeffrey Vappie has pleaded not guilty to the charges contained in a federal indictment handed down in July. His trial was originally set for October, but court documents show that during an online meeting held last week, U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter set a new trial date of July 14. Her order said both sides had requested a delay. She granted it, citing the volume of evidence involved.

Charges against Vappie include seven counts of wire fraud. The indictment cites payroll deposits into Vappie’s bank account for time he claimed to be working as a member of the police department’s “executive protection unit” when, prosecutors allege, he was off duty.

There is also a single count of making false statements, alleging he lied to the FBI about his “romantic and physical” relationship with Cantrell. Such a relationship would have violated police department policy.

Cantrell has declined to comment on the case but has in the past denied a romantic relationship with Vappie, who retired from the police department before the indictment.