Court upholds discipline for NOPD cop accused of payroll fraud

A Louisiana appeals court has upheld the four-month suspension without pay for a former New Orleans Police Department captain who allegedly committed payroll fraud by clocking hours she didn’t work.

Our partners at NOLA.com report that the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that the NOPD’s punishment of Sabrina Richardson may stand, reversing a decision by the New Orleans Civil Service Commission. Last September, the Civil Service Commission upheld Richardson’s appeal, overturning much of the NOPD’s discipline.

In 2019, the NOPD investigated Richardson for payroll fraud after a whistleblower revealed analysis that showed widespread abuse of the NOPD’s timekeeping system. NOPD investigators found 46 violations of timekeeping rules when examining Richardson’s timesheets. In addition to her 120-day suspension without pay, Richardson was demoted from captain to lieutenant.

To read NOLA.com ’s full report, click here.