09:27 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 25, 2006

WWLTV.com

The New Orleans Police Department is conducting an internal investigation into alleged payroll violations by the Captain of the Traffic Division and his administrative assistant.

NOPD Superintendent Warren Riley announced the investigation into Captain Harry Mendoza and Sergeant Joseph Valiente Tuesday.

"Public Integrity is interviewing the individuals involved in that right now," he said. "I have not got the final determination. They are in public integrity right now based on complaints that were received."

Both men were accused of not working all the hours they reported and in some cases, playing tennis or working out at the gym on company time.

Police union officials responded stating that Valiente was not even working during the time in question.

A police spokesperson said Tuesday evening that the department did not know anything about new information regarding Valiente.

Both men have been reassigned, lost their take home cars and the ability to work details during the investigation.