Ex-bomb squad leader in New Orleans pleads guilty to fraud charges

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A former police bomb squad leader in New Orleans pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges Tuesday, heading off a trial that was scheduled to start in December.

Todd Morrell pleaded guilty in federal court to six wire fraud counts that were part of an indictment involving allegations that he submitted false timesheets, New Orleans news outlets reported.

In many cases, Morrell double-billed for simultaneous on-duty and off-duty detail shifts. Allegations of wrongdoing by officers who work private duty details arranged through the department have often been a problem cited in court as the city moves to extricate itself from federal oversight of reforms ordered in a 2012 court document known as a consent decree.

Morrell retired in 2021 following reports by WVUE-TV on private duty security details manned by New Orleans police. The station reported that Morrell on multiple occasions was seen racing cars or spending time at home while claiming to work.

U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey set a Feb. 25 sentencing date for Morrell, 57. The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported that the charges Morrell pleaded guilty to carry a maximum 20-year sentence.

Morrell is a 32-year veteran of the police department. He is the son of former City Council member Cynthia Hedge Morrell and Arthur Morrell, a former state legislator and former Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk. His brother, J.P. Morrell, is a current City Council member.