Louisiana CDL Scam: Six Face Bribery Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A network of corruption has been exposed in Louisiana, with six individuals facing federal charges for a scheme that allowed unqualified drivers to obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The indictment, unsealed August 28, 2025, alleges a systematic bypass of all legally required training and testing, putting public safety at risk for profit. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced the charges, promising a full prosecution.

At the center of the scheme is MAHMOUD ALHATTAB (“ALHATTAB”), a local restaurant owner accused of orchestrating the entire operation. For a price, ALHATTAB allegedly greased the wheels to circumvent the three crucial steps to CDL qualification: the knowledge test, entry-level driver training, and the skills test. The indictment details how ALHATTAB allegedly paid off key personnel at each stage to sign off on applicants who hadn’t met the necessary requirements.

The scheme began at the Donaldsonville Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), where JENAY DAVIS (“DAVIS”) and SHAKIRA MILLIEN (“MILLIEN”), two OMV employees, are accused of taking payments from ALHATTAB to complete the knowledge tests for the applicants. Investigators say the pair weren’t relying on their own knowledge, but actively conducting internet searches to find the answers during the exams. Meanwhile, to dodge the required driver training, ALHATTAB allegedly bribed truck driver training business operators CHRISTOPHER BRYAN BURNS (“BURNS”) and JONATHAN PARSONS (“PARSONS”). They are accused of falsely reporting successful completion of training in a federal database, despite applicants never stepping foot in a truck.

The final hurdle – the skills test – was also allegedly compromised. BURNS and PARSONS, who were certified skills test examiners, are accused of reporting applicants had passed the test when they hadn’t even taken it. The indictment further alleges that PARSONS went a step further, paying another examiner, MARLINE ROBERTS (“ROBERTS”), to create fraudulent score sheets to back up the false reports. This created a paper trail of deception designed to fool state regulators and the public.

All six defendants are jointly charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. ALHATTAB and PARSONS face two counts of honest services wire fraud each, while BURNS, DAVIS, and ROBERTS are each charged with one count. ALHATTAB, MILLIEN, and PARSONS are also facing four counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. BURNS, DAVIS, and ROBERTS each face one bribery count. If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy and wire fraud, and up to 10 years for bribery, along with substantial fines and supervised release.

“An indictment is merely an accusation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General led the investigation, with assistance from the Louisiana State Office of Inspector General and Louisiana Public Safety Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit is prosecuting the case. This investigation highlights the ongoing fight against corruption that endangers public safety on our roads.”