OIG Audit Reveals Over $250K Overtime Overpayment to Deputies During Mardi Gras

An audit by the New Orleans Office of Inspector General found discrepancies in the payment of Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies during the 2023 Carnival season, revealing an overpayment of about $259,758 in overtime. The audit, reported by

WGNO

, showed that the Sheriff’s Office used a premium Mardi Gras coverage pay rate as the base for overtime calculations, which did not follow proper accounting practices.

The New Orleans Office of Inspector General report identified several issues, including improper documentation for off-duty details and employees working extended hours without written consent or required rest periods. Deputies’ off-duty hours lacked proper oversight, and holiday hours were recorded prematurely, resulting in an incorrect overtime payout of $21,407, as reported by

WDSU

.

In response to the disclosed overpayments, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson labeled the report as ‘misogynistic’, per a detailed statement released by her office. “Since receiving the disheartening news about the IG’s misogynistic view of women leaders, I have tried my best to get all information regarding an investigation by the New Orleans Ethics Review Board, but it has been shielded from the public and myself,” Hutson stated, as conveyed by

WWLTV

. She admitted the error regarding holiday pay was due to a ‘glitch’ in their payroll system but assured corrective measures for future events.

The Office of Inspector General issued recommendations to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, including dedicating more staff to manage off-duty details, updating procedures, and implementing best practices for compliance. Inspector General Ed Michel said, “We encourage OPSO to take steps to foster greater accountability in off-duty detail practices and procedures and ensure good stewardship of the City’s limited resources,” as noted by

WDSU

.

Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!