A former bomb squad leader of the New Orleans police force entered a guilty plea in federal court on Tuesday to charges of fraud, thus avoiding an upcoming trial that was set to commence in December.

Todd Morrell admitted to six counts of wire fraud as part of an indictment that accused him of submitting fraudulent timesheets. Reports from local news outlets indicate that Morrell misrepresented his work hours, often double-billing the department for both on-duty and off-duty shifts that occurred at the same time. This misconduct is not an isolated incident, as issues involving officers engaged in private security details arranged through the New Orleans Police Department have frequently been a topic of concern, particularly as the city aims to escape federal scrutiny stemming from a 2012 consent decree mandating police reforms.

Following an investigative report by WVUE-TV regarding private duty assignments filled by police officers, Morrell retired in 2021. The report highlighted instances where he reportedly engaged in racing activities or was at his residence while claiming to perform police work.

U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey has scheduled Morrell’s sentencing for February 25. At 57 years old, Morrell faces serious repercussions, as each of the fraud counts could result in a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years. Morrell has dedicated over three decades to the police department and comes from a politically active family; his mother, Cynthia Hedge Morrell, served on the City Council, while his father, Arthur Morrell, held various political positions, including state legislator and Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk. Additionally, his brother, J.P. Morrell, currently serves as a City Council member.