NOPD Sergeant Investigated for Payroll Fraud Scheme
Authorities are probing Sgt. Kevin Thompson following allegations of extensive overtime theft by a subordinate.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Corruption
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The New Orleans Police Department has launched an internal investigation into Sgt. Kevin Thompson after records surfaced regarding systemic payroll fraud. His subordinate, Officer Brandon Coleman, faces 350 counts of fraud involving over $111,000 in allegedly stolen overtime pay.
Why it matters
The investigation centers on a breakdown in supervision, where police supervisors allegedly shared computer codes with subordinates to bypass necessary payroll reviews. This oversight allowed for the inflation of hours recorded for activities like red-light camera ticket processing.
Sgt. Kevin Thompson is currently under an internal administrative investigation, while Officer Brandon Coleman faces 350 counts of payroll fraud. Four other officers have been barred from working detail shifts as the probe continues.
The players
Kevin Thompson
He is an NOPD sergeant currently under an internal investigation regarding the alleged failure to properly supervise his subordinate's payroll records.
Brandon Coleman
He is a New Orleans police officer accused of 350 counts of payroll fraud involving the theft of over $111,000 in overtime pay.
New Orleans Police Department
This is the primary municipal law enforcement agency responsible for the oversight and internal investigation of its officers.
Louisiana State Police
This is the state-level law enforcement agency that assisted the Office of Inspector General in the joint investigation into the payroll fraud.
New Orleans Office of Inspector General
This municipal office is tasked with independent oversight and the investigation of potential corruption or fraud within city departments.
The details
Digital records reveal that Thompson's employee ID was used 1,600 times last year to edit Coleman's timesheets, while Coleman's ID was used 1,300 times to edit Thompson's. Despite these findings, the department has not suspended the overtime or detail privileges of Sgt. Thompson.
Timeline
Last year, Brandon Coleman allegedly stole overtime pay and edited his own timesheets.
In February 2026, Fox 8 first identified the suspicious edits made to departmental timesheets.
As of September 2026, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed Sgt. Kevin Thompson is under active investigation.
Legal Context
This case reflects broader efforts to address systemic payroll fraud and supervisory accountability within city departments. Similar investigations into overtime abuse have historically led to stricter departmental oversight and revised digital timestamping protocols in this jurisdiction.
The investigation highlights potential internal management flaws that may impact public trust and local police operations. Residents may see changes in departmental administrative oversight as authorities move to implement more secure payroll review processes.
The takeaway
This case underscores the critical importance of digital accountability and human oversight in preventing public resource theft. Departments must ensure that supervisory roles remain distinct from subordinate record-keeping to maintain financial integrity.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing departmental oversight, visit the New Orleans Corruption section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox8live.
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