OPCD board makes no decision on Tyrell Morris investigation, will meet again next week for decision

AT TIMES PACKING BACK INTO THE FORECAST BY TUESDAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT BREAKING NEWS FROM EARLIER. THE ORLEANS PARISH COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT HAS FINISHED ITS EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING ON AN INVESTIGATION INTO TYRELL MORRIS. WDSU INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER CASSIE SCHERM HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING. SO, KASEY, THE MEETING WRAPPED UP NOT TOO LONG AGO. WHAT DO WE KNOW SO FAR. WELL, THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION ENDED JUST MOMENTS AGO WHEN WE WERE FINDING OUT THAT THEY NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME BEFORE THEY MAKE THEIR DECISION. THEY SAID THEY’RE GOING TO NEED 72 MORE HOURS TO START LOOKING MORE AT THE FACTS AND TRYING TO GET MORE INFORMATION BEFORE THEY MAKE THAT DECISION. AND THEY’RE GOING TO BE WAITING UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY TO HAVE A DECISION AND BEFORE THE BOARD MEETS AGAIN, I’M JOINED HERE BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE HILFERTY. AND STEPHANIE, YOU WERE IN THAT MEETING. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW SERIOUS THE BOARD IS TAKING THIS DECISION. THEY’RE CERTAINLY TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. I THINK YOU SAW HOW LONG THE MEETING LASTED JUST NOW. AND THE FACT THAT THEY’RE HAVING THIS MEETING THIS COMING TUESDAY AT 10 A.M. STATE LAW ALLOWS US AS LEGISLATORS TO SIT IN ON THOSE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WHICH IS WHY REPRESENTATIVE FREEMAN, REPRESENTATIVE LANDRY AND I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE BE THERE AND THE ALLEGATIONS OF HAVING ANY STATE OR PUBLIC DOCUMENT BEING ALTERED. THAT’S A CONCERNING THING THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. AND I THINK THEY’RE CERTAINLY LOOKING AT ALL OF THIS WHILE ALSO BALANCING THE CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS OF OF 911. AND SO I WAS I WAS PLEASED WITH THE SERIOUSNESS THAT THEY LOOKED AT ALL OF THIS. AND THE FACT I THINK IT REALLY SHOWS THE BOARD’S COMMITMENT TO THIS THAT THE MEETING WILL OCCUR, THIS COMING TUESDAY. AND YOU’RE GOING TO BE COMING INTO THAT MEETING AS WELL. I DO PLAN TO ATTEND. PERFECT. WELL, THANK. YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME. AND WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AS IT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AND GIVE YOU GUYS THE LATEST INFORMATION HERE ON AIR AND ONLINE AT WDSU.COM. REPORTING HERE IN NEW ORLEANS, I’M CASSIE SCHER

The Orleans Parish Communications District entered executive session Thursday morning to discuss an investigation into Executive Director Tyrell Morris. Morris is under investigation by the Office of Inspector General of New Orleans regarding the altering of public documents as well as a car accident he was involved in back in May. That's according to sources within city hall. Following WDSU's investigation, an emergency meeting was called where the OPCD board will meet in an executive session to discuss its own investigation into the allegations against Morris.A public meeting began around 10 a.m. which was being led by Morris. Morris went over the normal meeting agenda before the board entered executive session over his investigation. OPCD tried to deny media access to the public portion of the meeting but was eventually escorted in by a city council representative.Media was not allowed in the executive session portion of the meeting, which ended around 12:30 p.m. OPCD decided to take the next 72 hours to continue investigating the allegations into Morris and will re-adjourn to vote on his future as executive director on Tuesday. Lawmakers Rep. Aimee Freeman, who represents Uptown, Rep. Mandie Landry, who also represents Uptown, and Rep. Stephanie Hilferty told WDSU Investigates that they are concerned about the recent reports on Morris regarding the modified documents.All three were allowed inside the emergency meeting, due to state law 24:8, which allows the members of the legislature to be eligible to attend any meeting of a state board, commission, agency, or committee.This law includes both private and executive session state meetings.The emergency meeting was called by the chairman of the Orleans Parish Communications District to discuss the recent crash involving the 911 call center's director, Tyrell Morris. New Orleans police investigate deadly shooting at Warehouse District, CBD lineThe crash has been a subject of recent WDSU Investigates stories.WDSU obtained an internal email sent out Friday by chairman John Thomas. He wrote, "I have been investigating the matter and would like to present the information I have been able to uncover so far. This is separate from the I investigation and the news stories."The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 6, at 10 a.m.Both New Orleans Council President J.P. Morrell and Vice President Helena Moreno wrote a letter Wednesday to Thomas urging Morris' immediate suspension.In reference to Morris' position with OPCD, board member Dr. Brobson Lutz told WDSU Wednesday, “I think his usefulness is gone and I think it is imperative that the commission get new leadership as soon as possible.” Lutz wants to make clear he is speaking as an individual board member, and not speaking for the board itself.

NEW ORLEANS —

The Orleans Parish Communications District entered executive session Thursday morning to discuss an investigation into Executive Director Tyrell Morris.

Morris is under investigation by the Office of Inspector General of New Orleans regarding the altering of public documents as well as a car accident he was involved in back in May. That's according to sources within city hall.

Following WDSU's investigation, an emergency meeting was called where the OPCD board will meet in an executive session to discuss its own investigation into the allegations against Morris.

A public meeting began around 10 a.m. which was being led by Morris. Morris went over the normal meeting agenda before the board entered executive session over his investigation.

OPCD tried to deny media access to the public portion of the meeting but was eventually escorted in by a city council representative.

Media was not allowed in the executive session portion of the meeting, which ended around 12:30 p.m.

OPCD decided to take the next 72 hours to continue investigating the allegations into Morris and will re-adjourn to vote on his future as executive director on Tuesday.

Lawmakers Rep. Aimee Freeman, who represents Uptown, Rep. Mandie Landry, who also represents Uptown, and Rep. Stephanie Hilferty told WDSU Investigates that they are concerned about the recent reports on Morris regarding the modified documents.

All three were allowed inside the emergency meeting, due to state law 24:8, which allows the members of the legislature to be eligible to attend any meeting of a state board, commission, agency, or committee.

This law includes both private and executive session state meetings.

The emergency meeting was called by the chairman of the Orleans Parish Communications District to discuss the recent crash involving the 911 call center's director, Tyrell Morris.

New Orleans police investigate deadly shooting at Warehouse District, CBD line

The crash has been a subject of recent WDSU Investigates stories.

WDSU obtained an internal email sent out Friday by chairman John Thomas. He wrote, "I have been investigating the matter and would like to present the information I have been able to uncover so far. This is separate from the I investigation and the news stories."

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 6, at 10 a.m.

Both New Orleans Council President J.P. Morrell and Vice President Helena Moreno wrote a letter Wednesday to Thomas urging Morris' immediate suspension.

In reference to Morris' position with OPCD, board member Dr. Brobson Lutz told WDSU Wednesday, “I think his usefulness is gone and I think it is imperative that the commission get new leadership as soon as possible.” Lutz wants to make clear he is speaking as an individual board member, and not speaking for the board itself.

OPCD board makes no decision on Tyrell Morris investigation, will meet again next week for decision

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