Louisiana Police Chiefs Indicted in Massive Visa Bribery Scheme
Louisiana Police Chiefs Indicted in Massive Visa Bribery Scheme
A federal grand jury has returned a sweeping 62-count indictment against current and former Louisiana police chiefs, a marshal, and a Subway restaurant operator, alleging their involvement in a decade-long bribery and immigration fraud scheme. The charges, announced Wednesday, include bribery, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and visa fraud.
The elaborate conspiracy, which allegedly ran from December 2015 until July 2025, focused on exploiting the U visa program. This program allows foreign nationals to remain in the U.S. if they are victims or witnesses to crimes. Prosecutors accuse the defendants of falsifying police reports, claiming 24 individuals were crime victims, in exchange for payments of up to $5,000 per report.
Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook of the Western District of Louisiana highlighted the critical role U visas play in law enforcement, but stressed that fraudulent applications undermine the system and prevent legitimate victims from receiving visas.
Among those charged are Subway store operator Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Oakdale Marshal Michael “Freck” Slaney, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, and former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea. The 21-page indictment, filed this month, notes that all 24 alleged beneficiaries of the false reports share the surname Patel.
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