Three Plead Guilty in Scheme That Sold Over 100 Fraudulent CDLs Bribery Scheme Uncovered: Three Defendants Plead Guilty to Enabling Over 100 People to Fraudulently Obtain Commercial Driverâs Licenses Three people have pleaded guilty in a bribery scheme that enabled over 100 people to fraudulently obtain commercial driverâs licenses. The scheme, which was led by local restaurant owner Mahmoud Alhattab, allowed applicants to bypass the three main federally mandated steps of the CDL qualification process. The Scheme: How It Worked Alhattab admitted to being the ringleader of the scheme, in which CDL applicants each paid him, on average, about $5,000 to receive unearned CDLs. The scheme allowed applicants to bypass each of the three main federally mandated steps of the CDL qualification processâknowledge testing, entry-level driver training, and skills testing. Step 1: Knowledge Testing The knowledge test is a written test that must be passed at the Office of Motor Vehicles, and includes questions on vehicle safety systems, emergencies, procedures for various maneuvers, and extreme driving conditions. According to court documents, Alhattab admitted that, to defeat the knowledge test requirement, he bribed two employees of a Donaldsonville, Louisiana OMV office. Typically, Alhattab would provide an OMV employee, via cell phone messaging, with a photograph of the applicantâs driverâs license, and he would identify any desired endorsements, such as a school bus endorsement. Step 2: Entry-Level Driver Training After passing the knowledge test and obtaining a commercial learnerâs permit, most CDL applicants are required to complete entry-level driver training. Alhattab admitted that, to defeat the training requirement, he bribed two men who operated truck driver training businesses. One of these men was defendant Jonathan Parsons. Typically, Alhattab would send Parsons a photograph of an applicantâs commercial learnerâs permit via cell phone messaging. This would provide Parsons with the information needed to generate false training records. Step 3: Skills Testing The skills test is administered by state-authorized examiners, who are agents of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Alhattab admitted that, to defeat the skills test requirement, he bribed Parsons and the other business operator, both of whom, in addition to being trainers, were certified by Louisiana to administer the skills test. As part of his guilty plea, Parsons admitted that he falsely reported to the State that applicants had passed the skills test when, in truth, the applicants did not take the test. Guilty Pleas and Sentencing The three defendantsâMahmoud Alhattab, Jonathan Parsons, and Marline Robertsâeach pleaded guilty to one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666. The offense is punishable by up to 10 yearsâ imprisonment, up to three yearsâ supervised release following imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment fee. Sentencing for these three defendants is scheduled for October 28, 2026. Investigation and Prosecution The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of TransportationâOffice of Inspector General investigated this case. U.S. Attorney Courcelle thanked the Louisiana State Office of Inspector General and Louisiana Public Safety Services for their valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution. Source: WorldNewsAPI | Read original
