Former NOPD Officer Todd Morrell expected to plead guilty in double dipping case

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Former New Orleans Police Officer Todd Morrell is expected to plead guilty next week to charges stemming from alleged payroll fraud, according to new court filings.

Morrell, who is among the department’s highest-paid officials, is scheduled to appear again on Tuesday, Nov. 26, before U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey.

The plea comes just weeks before Morrell’s trial on 12 wire fraud charges is set to begin Dec. 9.

The case against Morrell came to public attention two years ago following a series of investigative reports. “Attention to Details” By Fox 8’s Lee Zurik. The reports detail at least 20 instances between 2017 and 2021 in which Morrell allegedly raced cars while being paid for overlapping NOPD shifts or off-duty detail work in the Fairgrounds neighborhood.

ATTENTION TO DETAILS

Zurik: NOPD Sergeant caught on video at home while being assigned to details

Zurik: Feds charge former NOPD officer with bank fraud, double billing

Zurik: Former NOPD officer pleads not guilty to wire fraud charges in federal court

Zurik: Federal corruption case for former NOPD Sgt. More than 6 months late

Legal analysts suggest Morrell’s plea deal could include cooperation with federal investigators.

Fox 8 legal analyst Joe Raspanti said Morrell could testify in related cases involving other officers. Four additional NOPD officers are reportedly under federal investigation for similar double-dipping allegations.

As part of the plea agreement, Morrell is expected to report immediately to the U.S. Parole Office, which will initiate a pre-sentence investigation. The outcome could impact broader investigations into the department’s payroll practices.

Attempts to reach Morrell’s attorney for comment were unsuccessful.

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