Latest news with #Louisiana-based
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Indian-origin man, US cops charged in fake robbery scam to get immigrants U-visas
An Indian-origin restaurateur has been named as the central figure in a federal indictment charging him with orchestrating a nearly decade-long fraud scheme to fabricate police reports to help illegal immigrants apply for U-visas that allow certain crime victims to stay in the US, according to Louisiana officials. Four law enforcement officers, including three small-town Louisiana police chiefs are also among the comes amid the Donald Trump administration is working to close loopholes that let illegal immigrants remain in the US. Interestingly, more and more incidents of staged armed robberies to secure U-visas are being prosecutors allege that Chandrakant Patel, alias Lala, from Oakdale in Louisiana, along with three active and one former small-town police chief, conspired to falsify crime reports to help non-citizens fraudulently obtain U-visas – special visas intended for victims of crimes who cooperate with US law enforcement. US Attorney Alexander C Van Hook, at a news conference in Lafayette, said the police officials were paid $5,000 (Rs 4.18 lakh) for each name they provided falsified reports for, and that there were hundreds of names over the years, news agency Associated Press (AP) had been "an unusual concentration of armed robberies of people who were not from Louisiana," Van Hook said, noting that two other people were also charged in the alleged scheme, AP reported. He clarified that the armed robberies never took added that the U-visas also allowed family members to remain in the country. He added that over "hundreds of visas" were approved, according to a Louisiana-based news channel, WBRZ also bribed a member of the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office $5,000 on February 18, 2025, with the intent to influence and reward them in exchange for a fraudulent police report from the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, WBRZ 2 investigation into the visa scheme began following a tip from immigration services in 2024 regarding the alleged crimes in central and western Louisiana, according to Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Eric this month, a federal grand jury in Shreveport charged the five accused with 62 criminal counts, including working together to commit visa fraud, taking bribes, mailing false documents, and laundering money, according to Van charged are Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea, Michael "Freck" Slaney, a marshal in Oakdale, and Chandrakant "Lala" Patel, an Oakdale IMMIGRANTS PAID TO BE FALSELY NAMED AS ARMED ROBBERY VICTIMSMulti-agencies, including US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice, are probing the indictment alleges that as part of this conspiracy to defraud the government, aliens seeking U-visas would contact Patel – or another facilitator who would then contact Patel – to be named as "victims" in police reports alleging that an armed robbery had occurred, so that they could apply for the visas, USCIS said in a statement issued on indictment also alleges that aliens paid Patel thousands of dollars to participate, and in exchange, Patel would ask his co-conspirators, including Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, and Onishea, to write false police reports naming the aliens as victims of alleged armed robberies and provide certification and attestation of USCIS Form I-918B supporting documents as representatives of their respective law enforcement agencies, it fraud scheme dates back to December 2015 and saw the group conspiring to fraudulently obtain U-visas reserved for victims of crimes like armed convicted, the defendants could face years or even decades of jail time. Court and jail records don't list attorneys for any of them, AP in May, an Indian man, Rambhal Patel, in New York pleaded guilty to staging robberies at nine locations across the country, exposing a big visa racket to help Indian illegal immigrants stay back in the US. Since March 2023, Rambhal Patel and his accomplices staged at least nine robberies across American states.- Ends advertisement
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
With a world speed record in sight, Jimmy Graham checks in from his Arctic Ocean adventure
'It's been raining nonstop for 24 hours. No sun for 72' Jimmy Graham and his rowing crew are a week into their round-the-clock paddle across the Arctic Ocean, and the former New Orleans Saints star tight end took a moment to share a message with fans following from home on Friday. "It's been raining nonstop for 24 hours. No sun for 72," Graham said in a statement through the Saints. "We're officially in battery conservation mode. Everything's wet. Everything's cold. But the mission? Still fully charged. We are so thankful for everyone's continued support through this journey. Let's go!" While Graham's aim is to set a new speed record for rowing this route across the Arctic Ocean, his ultimate goal is to raise $1 million in funds for a couple of Louisiana-based charities in the Covenant House and Laureus Sport for Good New Orleans. You can read more about those charitable efforts and Graham's partnership with the Million Meters Club. Strong winds pushed Graham's boat west of the planned course earlier in the trek, but they're still making good time and could reach their destination in just a few days. The crew spent a year and a half training for this adventure and hoped to make the trip in 10 days, but packed enough supplies for twice that if need be. The standing record for the 1,000-mile paddle is 15 days and five hours, and they just might beat that. Graham, 38, last caught passes for the Saints in 2023 after recovering from a cycling accident in Miami (he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle and joked that he "did more damage to the car"), where he played college football and basketball for the Hurricanes. His exploits as a pilot are famous, but Graham's wanderlust has taken him to sea, too. Good luck to him and his team on the final leg of this journey. Fans can watch Graham's progress with a live tracking map on the Arctic Challenge's website, where they can also donate to support the charities he's advocating for. Graham and his team have been at sea since Friday, July 4 and have a good shot at going the distance. We'll be rooting for them.
Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
FHLB Dallas and Origin Bank Celebrate Awarding $2M in Affordable Housing Program Funds to Support The Wellspring's Holly Haven
MONROE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new campus slated to open early 2027 to assist families experiencing homelessness in Monroe, Louisiana, received much needed support in the form of a $2 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), awarded through member Origin Bank. The banks celebrated awarding the funds to The Wellspring Alliance for Families Inc. (The Wellspring) during a ceremonial check presentation today. The AHP grant will support the development of Holly Haven, a private-living housing campus designed to serve unsheltered families and individuals, including those escaping domestic violence. 'This grant is crucial to the construction of a facility with private living spaces where families and individuals escaping trauma can find not just safety but also privacy and dignity,' said The Wellspring's President and CEO Caroline Cascio. 'Holly Haven will launch a new era of service delivery for The Wellspring and we are grateful to FHLB Dallas and Origin Bank for their support of this development, which will create a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency for families in Northeast Louisiana.' The Holly Haven campus will house two private-living facilities, one on the north side and the other on the south side of Holly Street in Monroe. Together, the two facilities will offer 28 units, some of which will adjoin to accommodate larger families. Both facilities will be equipped to meet the basic needs of those in residence and will be adjacent to service sites, including case management, safety planning and support groups for adults and children. 'We're proud to support The Wellspring and the creation of a facility that will offer both adults and children in our community a safe haven during trying times of their lives,' said Origin Bank's Senior Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager Rick Guillot. 'This project aligns with Origin's purpose of enriching the lives of people in our community.' AHP funds are awarded through FHLB Dallas member institutions and assist FHLB Dallas members in financing the purchase, construction and rehabilitation of owner-occupied, rental or transitional housing and housing for homeless individuals. The funds must be used to benefit households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the median income for the area. 'Whether in bustling urban centers or underserved rural communities, everyone deserves a place to feel secure and supported,' said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. 'We're proud to fund a project that will offer families in this community a vital lifeline, close to home, during times of crisis.' In 2024, FHLB Dallas awarded $21.7 million in AHP General Fund grants to Louisiana-based affordable housing projects. The grants will help create 684 new or rehabilitated housing units. FHLB Dallas will announce 2025 grant awardees this fall. Learn more about the FHLB Dallas Affordable Housing Program. About Origin Bank Deeply rooted in Origin's history is a culture committed to providing personalized, relationship banking to businesses, municipalities and personal clients to enrich the lives of the people in the communities it serves. Origin offers a broad range of financial services and currently operates more than 55 banking centers located throughout Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $109.9 billion as of March 31, 2025, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana takes a turn as small-bank M&A epicenter
This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Business First Bancshares will acquire Monroe, Louisiana-based Progressive Bancorp in a roughly $83 million deal that would double the larger lender's presence in the northern part of the state. And with that – at least thus far in July – Baton Rouge has become a bustling hub of bank combinations. The acquisition comes less than a week after Investar – based in Baton Rouge, as is Business First – announced it would buy First National Bank in Wichita Falls, Texas. That deal also is valued at around $83 million. Purchasing $752 million-asset Progressive would extend Business First's reputation as a frequent acquirer: It would be the company's sixth acquisition since buying Pedestal Bank in 2020, including deals for small-business lending specialist Waterstone LSP, registered investment adviser Smith Shellnut Wilson and traditional banks Texas Citizens Bank and, most recently, Oakwood Bank. The deal also marks a turn back toward Business First's home state, after the Texas Citizens acquisition sought expansion in the Dallas market and the Oakwood transaction focused on Houston. Progressive counts nine branches across Shreveport, Monroe, Bossier City and Winnsboro. That would push Business First's northern Louisiana footprint to 18 locations. The deal would ramp up Business First's market share in the region, too: Progressive holds 5% of deposits in the four counties it services. Business First, by comparison, counts 2.3%. 'This partnership combines companies with shared values, similar cultures and complementary strategies,' Business First CEO Jude Melville said in a statement Monday. 'We're adding talented bankers who are well-established in communities that are important to us. It deepens our Louisiana footprint, strengthens our deposit and liquidity profiles, and results in an economically strengthened shared franchise.' The transaction, expected to close early in the first quarter of 2026, will push Business First's asset total to $8.5 billion, the bank said. As part of the deal, Business First expects to issue more than 3.05 million shares to Progressive shareholders. Those investors will own 9.3% of the combined company once the transaction is closed. Progressive CEO George Cummings III will join the boards of both Business First and its subsidiary, b1BANK. Progressive President David Hampton will become vice chair of the north Louisiana market for b1BANK. 'We've built Progressive on trusted relationships and a commitment to serving our communities with care and consistency,' Cummings said. 'This partnership allows us to continue that mission with greater resources, broader capabilities and a shared belief in relationship banking.' Business First said it expects to save the equivalent of 45% of Progressive's operating expenses in the transaction. The deal also should be 10% accretive to earnings in 2026, the bank said in an investor presentation, adding that it expects to earn back its tangible book value in less than three years. Like several of Business First's recent deals (Progressive notwithstanding), Investar's acquisition of First National Bank continues a push into Texas. Acquiring First National in Wichita Falls would bring seven branches and two mortgage offices, along with $1.5 billion in assets, under Investar. It's Investar's second acquisition in the Lone Star State and the first in the north Dallas market. Investar CEO John D'Angelo called the transaction a 'defining milestone' and 'pivotal moment' for the bank. 'This is more than a strategic move; it's a powerful alignment of values and purpose,' D'Angelo said. 'Our partner came from humble beginnings as did Investar. Although the banks began in different geographies and times, our shared vision is representative of the gap that larger institutions left in our markets.' Investar hyped the community bank facet of deal, noting in a release last week that First National's Wichita Falls staff 'is expected to remain substantially intact.' 'The most attractive thing to me about this partnership is the combined company focus and commitment to excellent service where employees know their customers by name, and service is personal, not transactional,' D'Angelo said. Under the deal, expected to close in the fourth quarter, Wichita Falls shareholders will be entitled to receive 3,955,334 shares of Investar common stock and $7.2 million in cash for their shares. The $83.6 million value of the deal is based on Investar's closing price of $19.32 from June 30. First National CEO Stan Pinkham called the deal 'a great opportunity to enhance strategic synergies through combined resources.' 'Aligning with Investar creates a combined bank with over $4 billion in assets, resulting in a larger lending capacity and enhanced services to our customers," Pinkham said. Investar, as it stands, counts roughly $2.7 billion in assets and 29 branches in south Louisiana, southeast Texas and southwest Alabama. Alongside the deal, Investar announced a private placement of $32.5 million in newly designated 6.5% Series A preferred stock. In a note Monday, Hovde analyst Brendan Nosal noted an uptick in the pace of mergers and acquisitions in the banking space. However, 2025's 71 deals so far may not match expectations of observers who thought President Donald Trump's return to the White House would herald a glut of transactions. '[It's] still well shy of the tsunami many of us hoped for post-election, [but] we're pleased to see activity levels up," Nosal wrote. By comparison, the banking sphere counted 63 combinations last year by this point.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘This bill protects our precious waters': how a Florida environmental group scored a win against big oil
The giant and catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also known as the BP oil spill, didn't reach Apalachicola Bay in 2010, but the threat of oil reaching this beautiful and environmentally valuable stretch of northern Florida's Gulf coast was still enough to devastate the region's economy. The Florida state congressman Jason Shoaf remembers how the threat affected the bay. 'It harmed our commercial fishing, aquaculture operations, and just the threat of oil kept tourists away for months,' Shoaf recalls. 'Businesses were forced to close, jobs were lost, and the disaster reshaped our region forever.' Related: How Trump is targeting wind and solar energy – and delighting big oil Those memories were freshly triggered in April 2024, when the Florida department of environmental protection (DEP) granted a permit to Louisiana-based Clearwater Land and Minerals for exploratory oil drilling on the Apalachicola River basin. So area residents, along with environmental and business groups, formed a Kill the Drill coalition to oppose the permit. A year later, the coalition's efforts and an administrative challenge to the DEP's permit by the non-profit Apalachicola Riverkeepers prevailed when Judge Lawrence P Stevenson recommended the department deny the permit. In May, the DEP reversed course and denied the permit. But that was not enough to convince those seeking to preserve the region's environment. Shoaf, who represents Florida's north-eastern Gulf coast region, applauded the DEP's decision but says the threat of oil exploration and drilling near north Florida's inland waterways would only be ended by a permanent ban. So to prevent future threats and the DEP from issuing other oil exploratory drilling permits, Shoaf and state representative Allison Tant co-authored House Bill 1143. 'While the permit to Clearwater Land and Minerals was denied, we can't assume the next one will be,' Shoaf says. 'HB 1143 protects our precious water resources and the ecosystems that depend on them by prohibiting drilling, exploration and production of oil, gas and other petroleum products within 10 miles of a national estuarine research reserve in counties designated as rural areas of opportunity. It also requires the Florida department of environmental protection to ensure natural resources are adequately protected in the event of an accident.' This region has a deep collective memory of how the gulf oil spill devastated the regional economy Adrianne Johnson In April, the legislature overwhelmingly passed HB 1143 with only one dissenting vote in the Senate. It was presented to Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, on 18 June. And, despite a poor recent record on protecting the environment, DeSantis signed the bill last week – handing the coalition that lobbied for it a cheering victory. The area now saved from the oil industry is invaluable both to nature and the people who live there. The Apalachicola River, formed by the meeting of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers, flows 160 miles (258km) to the Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf. Both the river and bay are critical to the region's tourism and seafood production industries. For environmental campaigners, the success of their efforts might help lay to rest the ghosts of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, which released nearly 3.19m barrels of oil into the gulf. 'Oil from the BP spill didn't reach our coasts, but the damage caused by the threat was enough,' Tant says. 'We've seen what can happen. We've lived it. This is not theoretical. It was a perilous time for small businesses and for those who lived in the area. It stopped tourism and shuttered small businesses. So it defies logic to think it's a good idea to drill for oil along the Apalachicola River.' Adrianne Johnson is executive director of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association which represents more than 350 shellfish farmers in Florida. Johnson, an Apalachicola native, became involved in the Kill the Drill movement for personal and business reasons. 'This region has a deep collective memory of how the Gulf oil spill devastated the regional economy and collapsed the oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay,' Johnson explains. 'And that was just the threat of oil. The majority of the state's oyster farms operate across Wakulla, Franklin and Gulf counties, and these areas downriver would be most impacted by oil drilling upriver (at the proposed site in Calhoun county). If there were to be a spill upriver because of drilling in the basin, it would have catastrophic environmental and economic impacts on the area that would be felt for generations.' Johnson also points to the region's frequent weather-related natural disasters, such as hurricanes, as another reason why drilling had to be banned in the region. 'Our shellfish farmers are still recovering from the multiple hurricanes of 2024,' she explains. 'But the reality of being a Florida farmer is having to contend with these weather-related events. Hurricanes and natural disasters are outside of our control. Permitting oil drilling in ecologically sensitive areas is very much within our control and is an unnecessary threat to our industry.' Tant agrees. 'We are a hurricane-prone state,' she says. 'We can't get away from that. It's not a question of will we get hit by a hurricane because we know it's going to happen. But an oil spill caused by a hurricane would make the disaster 100 times worse.' According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the Deep Horizon oil spill caused the loss of 8.3 billion oysters, the deaths of nearly 105,400 sea birds, 7,600 adult and 160,000 juvenile sea turtles, and a 51% decrease in dolphins in Louisiana's Barataria Bay. Related: Ron DeSantis's fall from grace: 'He's completely crashed to the ground' Craig Diamond, current board member and past president of Apalachicola Riverkeeper, says another factor behind the ban was the river system itself. 'A spill would be highly impactful given the existing stresses in the system,' says Diamond, who has worked with the Northwest Florida Water Management District and taught graduate courses on water resources at Florida State University. 'Apalachicola Bay Riverkeeper and its allies believe the long-term risks of fossil fuel exploitation in the floodplain or bay (or nearshore) far outweigh the short-term benefits.' Shoaf says he was inspired to write HB 1143 by the community's grassroots efforts to defend the region's natural resources. 'This bill is essential to prevent unnecessary and irreparable harm to Apalachicola Bay, as well as the economies and ecosystems that depend on it,' he says. After DeSantis signed the bill into law, the threat of drilling has now receded into the distance for the foreseeable future.
