The outgoing director of the Orleans Parish Communications District is leaving New Orleans 911 in shambles. That's according to the head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
Raphael Goyaneche told WWL's Newell Normand that Tyrell Morris's resignation on Monday was a sign that Tuesday's meeting of the OPCD Board would have resulted in Morris's firing. Goyaneche says multiple investigations, including a criminal investigation, are under way. Those investigations, Goyaneche said, are looking into both his alleged coverup of a crash involving a city-owned vehicle and possible "other things that have occurred behind the curtain" during Morris's regime.
Goyaneche pointed to the OPCD's organizational chart as one area that could prove troublesome for Morris.
"We received some tips, we made a public records request, and we obtained information showing that the chief of staff--that, by this organizational chart identifies that individual as Ryan Warner--he was hired on June 9 at a salary equivilent to $95,000 a year. On June 29, he received a pay increase that boosted his pay up to $110,000 a year for his hard work and dedication during his tenure with the agency, which means about two weeks," Goyaneche said. "Then he hired an executive aide, which is a fancy title for a driver, and I guess he needed a driver, I'm told, because he feared for his safety and he needed security, so that employee's commanding a salary of $60,000 a year."
Goyaneche noted that the chief of staff, Warner, has no prior experience working for a 911 system. According to Goyaneche, Warner is a former Orleans Parish Sheriff's Deputy who was fired in 2018 for a policy violation. He then went to work for a local constables office. He was still holding that job when Morris tapped him to work at New Orleans 911.
Goyaneche says the next New Orleans 911 Director will have to answer some tough questions early in his or her tenure.
"So whoever steps in is going to have to make some decisions about: Are some of these positions are necessary any more? Is the interim director going to fear for their safety? Do they require a driver? Do they need a chief of staff, and if they need a chief of staff, does that chief of staff deserve the salary that he's currently commanding?"
