Former New Orleans Bomb Squad Leader Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges

A former New Orleans Police Department bomb squad leader pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges this week, prosecutors announced.

Guilty Plea

Todd Morrell has pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud in federal court, following allegations that he submitted fraudulent timesheets, according to New Orleans media reports.

"U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Todd Morrell, age 57, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty today before United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to six (6) counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, for perpetrating a multi-year scheme to defraud the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the New Orleans Fair Grounds, an entity that paid him to provide off-duty police details," the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana said in a statement.

The Allegations Against Morrell

Morrell frequently double-billed for overlapping on-duty and off-duty detail shifts, according to allegations. Misconduct related to private duty details arranged through the department has been a recurring issue, often raised in court as the city seeks to end federal oversight of reforms mandated by a 2012 consent decree.

Morrell retired in 2021 after local Fox-affiliated WVUE-TV aired reports examining private security details staffed by New Orleans police. The investigation revealed instances where Morrell was observed racing cars or staying at home while claiming to be on duty.

A judges gavel rests on top of a desk in the courtroom of the newly opened Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum February 3, 2009, in Miami, Florida. On November 26, 2024, a former New... Joe Raedle/Getty Images

U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey has scheduled sentencing for Todd Morrell, 57, on February 25. According to The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate, each of the counts he pleaded guilty to carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Morrell served with the New Orleans Police Department for 32 years and comes from a prominent local family. His mother, Cynthia Hedge Morrell, is a former City Council member, and his father, Arthur Morrell, previously held roles as a state legislator and Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk. His brother, J.P. Morrell, currently serves on the City Council.

"For each count, Morrell faces up to twenty (20) years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Sentencing before Judge Zainey has been scheduled for February 25, 2025," the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Response

Following the guilty plea, United States Attorney Duane A. Evans said, "When anyone commits fraud, our office will vet, investigate, and if warranted, prosecute."

"By pleading guilty today, Mr. Morrell admitted that he violated the public's trust in his agency and position. This investigation exemplified the strong partnership that exists between our office, the FBI, and the New Orleans Office of Inspector General," Evans added.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.