Joint Agency Payroll Fraud Investigation Leads to Arrest of New Orleans Police Officer
New Orleans – In April 2026, detectives with the Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division – New Orleans Field Office (LSP CID) and the New Orleans Office of Inspector General (NO OIG) began a joint investigation into allegations of payroll fraud involving a New Orleans Police Department officer, which resulted in the arrest of 39-year-old Senior Police Officer Brandon Coleman.
The investigation began when NO OIG investigators opened an inquiry into allegations of payroll fraud involving Coleman. As investigators reviewed records, they discovered discrepancies between the overtime hours Coleman reported and the hours he actually worked. They also discovered Coleman’s reported work locations did not match his actual locations during some of the claimed overtime periods. Based on these findings, investigators determined that Coleman received over $111,000 in fraudulent overtime payments and submitted false public records to support those claims between December 2024 and December 2025.
As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained for Coleman. On August 7, 2026, he was arrested by LSP CID detectives and booked into the Orleans Justice Center on the following charges: Filing False Public Records (325 counts), Public Payroll Fraud (23 counts), Malfeasance in Office (1 count), and Theft (1 count).
The New Orleans Office of Inspector General stated, “The New Orleans OIG is pleased to partner with the Louisiana State Police to collaboratively identify fraud, waste, and abuse of public money. The OIG will continue to combine resources with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use their public positions for personal gain.”
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick added, “NOPD has fully cooperated with the independent investigation into this matter and appreciates the work of the Office of Inspector General and Louisiana State Police. Accountability and integrity are fundamental to this department, and we will continue to cooperate as the case moves forward.”
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “My office will prosecute this case. I appreciate the work of the Louisiana State Police and the New Orleans Office of Inspector General. We will continue holding public officials accountable for abusing the public's trust.”
Louisiana State Police remains committed to working with our local and state partners to protect the integrity of public institutions and preserve the public’s trust in the communities we serve. Anyone with information about this case or other criminal activity can report it anonymously through LSP’s online reporting system at LSP.org or by calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
Contact Information:
Trooper Danny Berrincha
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Troop NOLA
[email protected]
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