Louisiana police chief still on job despite indictment, wife's arrest in visa fraud case: report
One of four Central Louisiana law enforcement leaders arrested this week for their alleged involvement in an immigration fraud scheme is still on the job, our news partners at KPLC-TV report.
Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle has not submitted his resignation, according to city officials . He is alleged to have created false police reports for Chandrakant 'Lala' Patel, a local businessman who federal investigators said paid police $5,000 for each foreign national they would add to the reports as a crime victim.
That status would make them eligible for a U-visa, which are available to immigrants who are victims of crime or can assist in the prosecutions of criminals.
Along with Doyle, an indictment from the U.S. attorney for Louisiana's Western District implicates Oakdale City Marshal Michael Slaney, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon and Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea in the scheme that prosecutors say put U-visas in the hands of 25 immigrants.
Louisiana State Police have also arrested Alison Doyle, the police chief's wife and an Oakdale city employee, charging her with two felony counts of malfeasance in office. It stemmed from an investigation into 'unethical conduct in the municipal property bidding process.'
In a social media post, state police said they obtained information from federal investigators involved in the Patel investigation. It revealed that Alison Doyle reportedly conspired with Patel to 'manipulate the bidding process for two city-owned properties.'
Alison Doyle is not mentioned in the federal indictment, which includes a sizable list of personal property, bank accounts and vehicles belonging to the five defendants that are eligible for forfeiture should they be tied to the offenses detailed.
According to KPLC, Alison Doyle left her job with the city in May. The police chief has not responded to calls from the station.
Chad Doyle's elected term as police chief runs through the end of 2028.
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