On October 12, 2019, there was a catastrophic collapse of a building under construction at 1031 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA. known as the Hard Rock Hotel. During the collapse, three individuals perished and dozens of other individuals were injured. The Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) has investigated allegations of criminal conduct in relation to this project. During our investigation, we have had several communications and meetings with your Office.
The New Orleans Office of Inspector General (OIG) evaluated policies and practices of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff), the New Orleans Municipal Court, and the City Attorney’s Office relating to the arrest, detention, and prosecution of municipal code violations and traffic offenses. The objectives of this evaluation were to determine costs incurred by the City as a result of these practices and to assess the impact of policies adopted by the City, including an ordinance enacted in 2008 to reduce the number of arrests.
The New Orleans Office of Inspector General (OIG) analyzed a review that the National Center for State Courts performed for the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court on how cases are allotted to different sections of court. The OIG conducted this analysis at the joint request of Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Orleans Parish Public Defenders.
