The FBI New Orleans Field Office is proud to announce the Metropolitan Crime Commission of New Orleans will receive the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2024. Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil will join MCC Vice President Michelle Foster at the event that celebrates outstanding accomplishments by individuals in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.

“In a town where corruption is a virtual spectator sport, the Metropolitan Crime Commission has served as a steadfast and loyal partner in helping to bring illegal activity to light and hold the appropriate people accountable,” said Myrthil. “The fact the MCC has been able to maintain it’s integrity and value as a reliable source for law enforcement and the community for more than 70 years, is a testament to the dedication of the people who serve the organization.”

The New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission was created 72 years ago as a non-profit, privately funded, citizens’ organization dedicated to exposing corruption and to being a conduit for the public to report wrongdoing. The MCC then passes that information along to appropriate law enforcement. The MCC’s work doesn’t stop there. They diligently follow those cases through the criminal justice system as well.

In 2023 alone, the MCC provided FBI New Orleans with information which directly led to five individual indictments, two guilty pleas, and sentencings of 19 others involved in various corruption and fraud schemes. Since 2020, information provided by the MCC led to the convictions or guilty pleas of dozens of individuals in a sprawling conspiracy of staged automobile accidents, wherein defendants defrauded insurance companies and trucking companies.

The MCC regularly advises the FBI on crime reporting and public-corruption trends. The organization regularly publishes crime data research including arrest, conviction, and case refusal rates at the local district attorney’s offices to educate the public.

The award presentation will take place Friday, April 19, 2024. Individual photos of the recipients with the Director will be available following the ceremony at the web address below. The Director’s Community Leadership Award was created in 1990 to honor citizens who understand the FBI’s mission and go out of their way to help agents protect the American people. Information about the award and past recipients can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/outreach/dcla.