A federal grand jury handed up indictments against Todd Morrell Thursday.
The panel felt there was sufficient evidence to send the fraud case to trial.
Morrell, a now-former NOPD sergeant, allegedly claimed to be working police details at times he was on duty, at home, racing cars or out of town.
U.S. Attorney Duane Evans’ office alleges, “Morrell submitted and certified timecards to NOPD and time sheets to the Fair Grounds Patrol falsely claiming to have been on duty and on detail when, in actuality, Morrell was not present for duty.”
In addition to claims he was double dipping by getting paid by NOPD and the Fairgrounds for allegedly being in two places at once, the feds say Morrell filed time sheets saying he was at the Fairgrounds when he was at home, racing cars on the Westbank or in another state.
“Often, Morrell was engaged in recreational race car driving in Avondale, Louisiana, and Austin, Texas, while claiming to be on duty and on detail.”
Morrell's father is former Clerk of Criminal Court Arthur Morrell. His mother is former City Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell. His brother is current City Councilman J.P. Morrell.
The allegations against Todd Morrell and a many other officers led to sweeping changes in the way NOPD handles off-duty details.
Morrell allegedly earned more than $200,000 in a single year with his combined income from his NOPD salary and detail pay.
