New Orleans Office of Inspector General

New Orleans Office of Inspector General Independent, nonpartisan agency dedicated to fighting fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption in City government. Follow us for our latest news and reports.

If you're looking for the official source of information about the New Orleans Office of Inspector General, please visit http://www.nolaoig.gov.

The OIG recently released a letter regarding the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission’s (NORD) background check...
06/11/2026

The OIG recently released a letter regarding the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission’s (NORD) background checks for volunteer youth athletics coaches.

That letter found that NORD was not following its own policies regarding background checks for volunteer youth sports coaches.

Our letter urges NORD to follow its own policies requiring background checks for all volunteer coaches, to ensure background checks include key information, to maintain proper records of background checks, and to adopt formal, written procedures for evaluating the results of background checks.

The purpose of the letter is to recommend that NORD fully implement its existing background-check policies and make every effort to obtain nationwide background checks that provide accurate dispositions for as many cases as possible.

The OIG encourages the public to read the full letter and press release here: https://nolaoig.gov/media/oig-public-letter-new-orleans-recreation-development-commission-youth-athletics-background-checks/

06/04/2026

Today, the OIG released a public letter finding serious deficiencies in the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC)’s policies and practices for vetting youth sports coaches. Find out more in the video below!

A big thank you to The Willow High School for welcoming the OIG staff to attend capstone presentations by the senior Bio...
05/27/2026

A big thank you to The Willow High School for welcoming the OIG staff to attend capstone presentations by the senior Biomedical students! We are inspired by the innovation, energy, and dedication these students showcased in their environmental health action plans.

Special thanks to the students who reached out to us for insights into our work related to environmental health as part of their team project.

Our mission to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in City government encompasses many aspects of life in New Orleans, including environmental issues. We were excited to share our recent water projects and ongoing evaluation of government agencies’ policies and procedures for addressing complaints of illegal dumping in New Orleans East.

In return, we had the opportunity to attend the students’ presentations on tackling drinking-water contamination, heat islands, and other pressing environmental hazards. Plus, we were delighted to receive a wonderful thank-you card!

Congratulations to the entire class for presenting fresh ideas and impactful research!

The OIG is pleased to see the City taking significant steps to enhance our traffic signal infrastructure and maintenance...
05/22/2026

The OIG is pleased to see the City taking significant steps to enhance our traffic signal infrastructure and maintenance!

In October 2024, the OIG released a report finding several critical weaknesses in the City’s traffic signal maintenance, including:
Data Gaps: The Department of Public Works (DPW) was not regularly updating traffic signal data or implementing and tracking performance measures.

Staffing Shortages: The DPW was significantly understaffed compared to agencies in jurisdictions of a similar size. A 2019 national survey showed agencies responsible for maintaining 150-450 traffic signals average nearly 21 staff members for this task. In contrast, as of May 2024, New Orleans DPW had TWO.

Lack of Asset Management: An effective asset management program was missing, leading to inefficiencies.

To keep our streets safe and minimize disruptions, we recommended that the City and the DPW:

Boost Staffing: Ensure the traffic signal shop is adequately staffed, and adopt standard operating procedures for maintenance and repairs.

Implement Asset Management: Develop a strong system for routine maintenance, inventory assessments, and asset protection.

Together, we can make New Orleans safer and more efficient!

For details, see our full report here: https://nolaoig.gov/media/traffic-signals-maintenance-report/

Audit Alert: FEMA-Funded JIRR Projects In September 2022, an OIG audit uncovered critical issues in the ex*****on of FEM...
05/22/2026

Audit Alert: FEMA-Funded JIRR Projects

In September 2022, an OIG audit uncovered critical issues in the ex*****on of FEMA-funded Joint Infrastructure Recovery Request (JIRR) Program projects.

Our audit found:

Lack of Coordination:
The City and the Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) lacked the necessary coordination policies to guide the ex*****on of JIRR Program, leading to significant change orders and, as a result, delays in project completion.

Reimbursement Delays:
The S&WB failed to submit reimbursement requests to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) on time. Our audit revealed that for 54 expenses totaling more than $4 million, the average delay was 241 days, far exceeding the required 14-day deadline.

At the time of the report’s release, Inspector General Ed Michel stated: “The City is at risk of losing hundreds of millions of dollars for any projects not completed by the 2023 FEMA deadline. It is vital that the City and the S&WB continue to improve their coordination efforts to avoid losing FEMA funding as well as ensure efficiency and transparency with the public for future infrastructure projects.”

Though always critical, proper financial stewardship takes on additional importance amid the current budget crisis.

Read more here: https://nolaoig.gov/media/cno-and-swb-repair-coordination-audit/

Follow us for more insights and updates on our mission to promote transparency and efficiency in New Orleans!

The New Orleans Office of Inspector General is seeking an Intelligence Analyst! This exciting position involves providin...
05/18/2026

The New Orleans Office of Inspector General is seeking an Intelligence Analyst! This exciting position involves providing essential support in planning, coordinating, and documenting investigations, audits, and evaluations.

As an Intelligence Analyst, you'll analyze data to identify trends and tactical information, playing a key role in promoting transparency in our City government.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now at NolaOIG.gov/Careers!

05/14/2026

Thank you to Edward Michel, The New Orleans Inspector General, for speaking to the Greater New Orleans Executives Association on Tuesday morning.

Mr. Michel shared the 2025 Annual Report and spoke candidly about the work of the Office of Inspector General, including investigations related to recent elected official indictments, NOPD timekeeping and overtime practices, OPSO off-duty details, and Mardi Gras pay.

The Office of Inspector General serves as an independent, nonpartisan body working to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in City government.

Follow the OIG on social media to receive the latest unbiased and unedited reports directly from the office:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nolaoig
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To learn more about the Greater New Orleans Executives Association, visit gnoea.com.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Greater New Orleans Executives Association for hosting Inspector General Ed...
05/12/2026

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Greater New Orleans Executives Association for hosting Inspector General Ed Michel.

During today’s meeting, he shared key highlights from our Annual Report and provided an overview of our public letter addressing the New Orleans Police Department’s Timekeeping and Overtime Practices.

The engagement from GNOEA members was commendable, with thoughtful questions that sparked meaningful discussions. Together, we can work towards a more transparent and accountable City government.

04/29/2026

Today, the OIG released a public letter recommending that the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) address recurring issues in the NOPD’s timekeeping and overtime practices. These issues violate City and/or NOPD policy and increase the risk of payroll fraud, as well as other types of fraud, waste, and abuse.

Learn more in the videos below!

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