Louisiana Officials Face 62-Count U-Visa Fraud Indictment

Five individuals, including three current and former Louisiana police chiefs, a city marshal, and a businessman, have been indicted on a 62-count federal indictment for orchestrating a decade-long scheme to fraudulently obtain U-visas for immigrants through fake armed robbery reports. Businessman Chandrakant Patel allegedly acted as the intermediary, collecting thousands of dollars from immigrants and paying law enforcement officials $5,000 per fabricated report. Prosecutors stated that hundreds of noncitizens were able to apply for visas intended for actual crime victims using these falsified documents. Authorities clarified that the supposed armed robberies never took place and emphasized that only individual officials, not entire police departments, are charged. The federal investigation, involving the FBI and Homeland Security, is ongoing and could result in additional state charges. Officials highlighted the scheme's serious impact on immigration processes and public trust in law enforcement.