Federal authorities have charged three Louisiana police chiefs, along with other officials and a businessman, with bribery and filing false police reports to help noncitizens obtain U visas, which are meant for crime victims.

The investigation uncovered a scheme spanning nearly a decade, where police officials received $5,000 for each falsified report, involving hundreds of fake claims of armed robberies targeting immigrants.

The probe was initiated in July 2024 after a tip from Citizenship and Immigration Services, with investigations conducted by Homeland Security, the FBI, and the IRS.

Search warrants were executed at multiple police departments and a business linked to the suspect Chandrakant 'Lala' Patel, indicating the seriousness of the case.

The police officials allegedly received $5,000 per report, and the scheme involved hundreds of names, with the activity taking place over nearly ten years.

Those charged include Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea, Oakdale Marshal Michael 'Freck' Slaney, and businessman Patel.

The arrests, made on July 15, 2025, included home searches of two police chiefs, highlighting the broad scope of the investigation.

If convicted, the defendants could face significant prison time, with penalties ranging from five to 20 years, though details about their legal representation remain undisclosed.

The case also sheds light on longstanding concerns about the vulnerability of the U-visa program to fraud, as noted in a 2021 audit by the Office of Inspector General.

U visas are intended for individuals who are victims or witnesses of crimes, allowing them to stay in the U.S under specific conditions, but the scheme involved creating false reports claiming victimization.

The fraudulent activity reportedly took place from December 2015 to July 2025, with false reports of armed robberies that never actually occurred.

The situation remains ongoing, with further updates expected as authorities continue their investigation.