NEW ORLEANS — Federal prosecutors said a group of current and former Louisiana law enforcement leaders took part in a years-long scheme to falsify police reports so immigrants could get special visas, with charges spanning conspiracy, bribery, fraud and money laundering.
According to NOLA.com, a businessman and four law enforcement officials, with three still serving, were arrested this week in connection with the alleged scheme. Prosecutors accuse them of helping immigrants secure U-Visas by filing fake armed robbery reports.
The Western District of Louisiana's U.S. Attorney's Office unveiled a 62-count indictment Wednesday, describing a nearly year-long investigation involving the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the IRS, and other agencies.
Prosecutors said the businessman, identified as Chandrakant "Lala" Patel of Oakdale, acted as the middleman — allegedly accepting thousands of dollars from people hoping to stay in the U.S. by claiming to be crime victims, our partners reported.
Investigator said he coordinated with the charged law enforcement leaders to produce false police reports supporting those visa applications.
Authorities said the scheme reportedly began in December of 2015.
Those charged include:
- Chandrakant "Lala" Patel (Oakdale businessman): accused of conspiracy, bribery, mail fraud, and money laundering.
- Chad Doyle (Oakdale Police Chief)
- Michael "Freck" Slaney (Oakdale City Marshal)
- Glynn Dixon (Forest Hill Police Chief)
- Tebo Onishea (former Glenmora Police Chief)
Charges against the law enforcement officials include conspiracy to commit visa fraud, visa fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. Doyle and Dixon were reportedly arrested while attending a law enforcement conference in Baton Rouge, NOLA.com reported.
On Wednesday, Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook emphasized they were charging individuals, not entire departments.
"We brought these allegations against who we alleged to be corrupt officials," Van Hook said. "We are not alleging that these are corrupt police departments."
Authorities said Patel even bribed a Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office agent earlier this year with $5,000. The case centers on U-Visas, which is a program meant to help crime victims stay in the U.S. if they assist law enforcement.
Prosecutors allege the defendants turned that program into a paid pipeline for immigration fraud.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing.
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