NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The fallout from a New Orleans police officer accused of massive payroll fraud could extend far beyond the six figures in taxpayer money he allegedly stole, potentially jeopardizing millions of dollars in municipal traffic fines and opening the city to the possibility of class-action litigation from ticketed motorists, according to one legal analyst.
New Orleans Police Department Officer Brandon Coleman faces 350 criminal counts, including felony theft and public payroll fraud, following an extensive investigation spearheaded by Louisiana State Police. Troopers allege Coleman fraudulently collected more than $111,000 for unworked overtime hours between January and November of last year.
Arrest records indicate that during that 11-month period, Coleman claimed to have reviewed between 47,000 and 111,000 red-light camera citations. But forensic analysis of system audit logs revealed Coleman routinely approved infractions in rapid bursts without examining the required video evidence, investigators said.
Probe sparks criminal investigation
The criminal case stems from a months-long investigation by FOX 8, which captured Coleman on camera lingering at home for hours while logged on duty and collecting overtime pay…