Outgoing Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, aide indicted on malfeasance, obstruction charges
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Outgoing Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson was charged Wednesday (April 29) in a 30-count indictment alleging malfeasance, falsifying public data and obstruction of justice, based on Attorney General Liz Murrill’s workplace.
Hutson, 59, was indicted Wednesday by an Orleans Parish particular grand jury. The legal charges she faces embody:
- Counts 1-14: Malfeasance in workplace
- Counts 15-18: Conspiracy to commit malfeasance in workplace
- Counts 19-21: Filing or sustaining false public data
- Counts 22-24: Conspiracy to commit submitting or sustaining false public data
- Counts 25-27: Obstruction of justice
- Counts 28-30: Conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice
Hutson acquired solely 17 p.c of the vote final October in her bid for re-election to a second time period. Her lone time period was marked by controversies, a jailbreak that drew worldwide consideration, and requires her resignation.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark on the charges.
in a farewell address to staff on TuesdayHutson insisted the escape of 10 inmates within the state’s largest-known jailbreak final May 16 was “not going to define me.” But Murrill stated his company’s investigation into that large safety failure finally led to the legal charges returned by the grand jury.
Murrill stated in a press release, “Nearly a year ago, I made a commitment to the people of New Orleans and the people of our state that those responsible for the Orleans Parish prison break would be held accountable. Since that day, through the hard work of my office, along with the Louisiana State Police and our many federal, state and local law enforcement partners, every escapee is behind bars, and others who facilitated and enabled the escape are currently being prosecuted.
“While Sheriff Hutson did not personally open the doors of the jail for the escapees, her refusal to comply with basic legal requirements and to take even minimal precautions in the discharge of her duties directly contributed to and enabled the escape.”
Sheriff-elect Michelle Woodfork is to be sworn in and assume control of the office and Orleans Justice Center jail next Monday (May 4).
“I have not yet had the opportunity to review the indictment in full,” Woodfork said in a statement. “I ran for sheriff to carry a brand new period of management and accountability. And on election evening, the folks of New Orleans selected a brand new path for this workplace. Since then, my staff has been working diligently to make sure we’re prepared to guide successfully from Day 1.
“This Monday, I will assume leadership of the sheriff’s office with a firm commitment to accountability, transparency and integrity.”
Murrill stated she was wanting ahead to collaborating with Woodfork.
“As my prosecutors move forward with this case, I continue to have productive conversations with Sheriff-elect Michelle Woodfork on how to improve operations, secure the facility and build in basic financial oversight that complies with state law,” Murrill stated. ”I’m assured in her dedication to implement the tough modifications wanted to reform the jail.”
In addition to Hutson, the grand jury additionally charged prime aide Bianka Brown, who has served because the OPSO’s chief monetary officer. Brown’s charges embody:
- Counts 31-34: Malfeasance in workplace
- Counts 35-38: Conspiracy to commit malfeasance in workplace
- Counts 39-41: Filing or sustaining false public data
- Counts 42-44: Conspiracy to commit submitting or sustaining false public data
- Counts 45-47: Obstruction of justice
- Counts 48-50: Conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice
Bond was set at $300,000 for Hutson and $200,000 for Brown. Each was ordered to give up his passport and was barred from leaving the state whereas the charges are pending.
Both Hutson and Brown have been booked at Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on Wednesday night. Both have since met bond necessities and have been launched, based on the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Hutson and Brown are additionally anticipated to look Thursday morning at a standing listening to scheduled for 9 am earlier than Section J advert hoc Judge Franz Zibilich.
“This is shocking. I didn’t anticipate this coming,” stated crime watchdog Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission. “What is noteworthy is that she is the first female sheriff elected in the city of New Orleans. And she is going to be the first female sheriff that leaves office under indictment.”
Hutson had by no means labored in a jail when she ran and upset four-term former Sheriff Marlin Gusman in 2021. Hutson additionally lacked legislation enforcement expertise, beforehand working as town’s Independent Police Monitor and as an lawyer centered on police oversight.
Related protection
Hutson says massive jailbreak will not define her single term as Orleans Parish sheriff
Woodfork elected Orleans sheriff as voters oust Hutson after troubled term
Ten inmates escape from Orleans jail in overnight breach
Hutson’s single time period was marked by controversies over obvious cronyism in hiringputting in a probably unqualified wardenwasteful spending on Carnival season hotel roomsthe alleged targeting of whistleblowersto failed push for a mileage hike, clashes with the city council over the OPSO budget regardless of an unspent reserve and quite a few cases of deputies smuggling contraband into the Orleans Justice Center jail.
hutson she threw herself a victory parade touting herself by the Star Wars slogan “A New Hope” when she took workplace. But the dysfunction beneath her administration reached new heights in 2025 with the jailbreak that made it apparent to most she would not survive the fallen election.
Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center jail beneath Hutson’s watch final May 16, in what Gov. Jeff Landry referred to as the most important jailbreak within the historical past of Louisiana. All have been finally recaptured and transferred to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.
The brazen escape prompted memes, merch and calls for Hutson to resignwhich went unheeded. Federal screens had warned Hutson at least a year before the escape about harmful lapses within the jail’s supervision and intimate segregation.
Hutson most well-liked to consult with these married within the jail as “residents,” not inmates.
Last July, about 2½ months after the jailbreak, Hutson’s deputies mistakenly released the wrong inmate. Khalil Bryan spent 5 weeks at massive before he was recaptured in Texas by US Marshals.
And final August, Hutson was found in contempt of court by an Orleans Parish choose for refusing to move inmates to the legal courthouse and workers deputies there on weekends. Hutson finally relented on the choose’s calls for and appealed his conviction.
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