Former New Orleans police officer convicted of insurance fraud, bribery

WGNO, By Corbin Ross, June 28, 2026

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A former New Orleans police officer was convicted on various fraud and bribery charges on Friday, June 26.

According to the Eastern District of Louisiana, 57-year-old Christian Conrad Claus was convicted of the following charges:

Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud
Wire fraud
Conspiracy to use a facility in interstate commerce in aid of bribery
Use of a facility in interstate commerce in aid of bribery
Making a false statement to a federal agent

According to the indictment, in 2019 Claus, who was then an NOPD police officer, conspired with a New Orleans homeowner and a Nevada art appraiser to submit a fraudulent insurance claim. The claim reported that valuable paintings had been stolen from the insured’s house, when in truth the paintings were neither valuable, nor stolen. In exchange for Claus using his police position to further the scheme, the homeowner agreed to share the insurance proceeds with Claus and to provide Claus with assistance in obtaining employment positions.

The fraud and fraud conspiracy charges are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The bribery, bribery conspiracy and false statement charges are each punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 22.

Link.