The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the City of New Orleans (City) concluded the investigation into the allegation that the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office (OPSO) improperly obtained hotel rooms for command staff during Mardi Gras 2023.

This investigation was predicated upon an anonymous complaint provided to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) alleging that the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office (OPSO) improperly secured and paid for hotel rooms at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, located at 621 St. Louis St., New Orleans, LA 70130, in the French Quarter to house OPSO Command Staff during Mardi Gras 2023. The complaint also alleged rooms were left vacant by other staff members.

Based upon the review of records obtained from the Omni, a total of 90 room nights were secured and paid for by the OPSO. In the OIG analysis of the Omni records and interviews conducted of OPSO employees, 37 hotel nights were occupied by the OPSO Command Staff. Four employees stayed six nights or more, three employees did not occupy a room at all, and six employees stayed three nights or less in a room secured and paid for by the OPSO.