That's some smart wondering, I bet. Could be a crooked group of guys with multiple identities. Paycheck funnels.
Probably it's widespread. I've seen Serpico :)
But it would be less disturbing and more hilarious if it's just two or three guys taking home the pay of hundreds.
I did not think of it yesterday when I heard this, but an earlier poster is right. These phantom cops need support. That means cars, uniforms, weapson, dispatchers, etc. It is not just the payroll of the cops. That is just the tip. Multiple people had to be in on this.
I wonder if the same person is on their rolls under more than one name.
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This would explain the ability of cops in NO to get by on their reported very low salaries.
This will also be used as an excuse for the felony abuse of payrolls. Obviously, Bad President Bush stopped sending the money for 100,000 police that Good President Clinton sent to poor deprived Nawlins.