Ahmedabad: Chandrakant ‘Lala’ Patel, accused of exploiting the US U-visa victim-protection programme to help Indian immigrants avoid deportation, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money laundering and now faces deportation himself. Under a plea deal, Patel agreed to forfeit multiple bank accounts, certificates of deposit, vehicles, luxury jewellery and precious metals, and five properties in Oakdale, Louisiana.The court document accessed by TOI notes that because Patel pleaded guilty to offences that constitute removable crimes under US immigration law, removal from the country is “presumptively mandatory.” The agreement further records that Patel chose to proceed with the plea despite the possibility of automatic deportation.“Under the plea agreement, Patel faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison — five years on the conspiracy count and 10 years on the money-laundering charge. He could also be fined up to $500,000, in addition to supervised release and other penalties, “ the court document said. Sentencing is expected after completion of a presentence investigation, with the final punishment to be determined by the federal court.According to prosecutors in the court for the Western District of Louisiana, the Kalol-born businessman charged Indian immigrants thousands of dollars to falsely portray themselves as victims of armed robberies and other crimes and secure “humanitarian” relief in the US. The applicants then used those fabricated incidents to seek U-visas, a special immigration benefit available to victims who assist law enforcement investigations.Patel’s guilty plea marks a major development in a long-winding investigation into a “decade-long fraud,” stated court documents. The fraud generated “substantial proceeds for Patel and his associates”.The case first came to light in 2025 when US authorities charged Patel along with three current or former Louisiana police chiefs and an Oakdale marshal. Patel bribed law enforcement officials, allegedly paying about $5,000 per case, to create fake police reports and certify documents needed for U-visa applications. The probe began after investigators noticed an unusual concentration of reported robberies involving out-of-state immigrants that never actually occurred.Court records list an array of valuables seized from a safe deposit box, including numerous one-ounce gold bars from Swiss and international refiners, a 50-gram gold bar, gold jewellery sets, bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings and collectible coins. The forfeiture package also includes proceeds from a 2025 Land Rover and a 2021 Toyota Sienna van. The plea agreement further states that Patel waives his right to challenge the forfeiture proceedings and acknowledges that the seized assets are separate from any fines, restitution or other penalties that may be imposed.BOX 1 | WHAT IS THE U-VISA PROGRAMME?The U-visa is a humanitarian immigration benefit created by the US Congress to encourage victims of serious crimes to cooperate with law enforcement. It is available to individuals who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and have been helpful in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity.Successful applicants receive temporary legal status, protection from deportation and immediate work authorisation. They may later become eligible for permanent residency.Investigators alleged that Patel’s network exploited these benefits by arranging staged or fabricated crimes and obtaining false certifications that portrayed paying clients as crime victims. Authorities claim immigrants paid thousands of dollars in exchange for documentation intended to improve their chances of obtaining lawful status in the United States.BOX 2 | PROPERTY, GOLD WORTH A FORTUNE TO BE FORFEITEDAs part of the plea deal, Patel agreed to surrender a substantial portfolio of assets allegedly linked to the fraud scheme.The surrender includes five properties in Oakdale, Louisiana, several bank accounts, a certificate of deposit worth over $64,000, a 2021 Toyota Sienna and proceeds from a 2025 Land Rover.Federal agents also seized a large collection of valuables from a safe deposit box, including multiple Swiss-made gold bars, a Perth Mint gold bar, a Canadian gold coin, jewellery sets, bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings. The plea agreement states Patel has waived his right to contest the forfeiture and must assist authorities in transferring ownership of the assets to the US government.BOX 3 | KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE PLEA BARGAINPatel pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money-laundering-related chargesDeportation is described as “presumptively mandatory” under US immigration lawHe faces a maximum prison term of 15 yearsThe court can impose fines totalling up to $500,000He agreed not to challenge forfeiture proceedings.The guilty plea allows prosecutors to dismiss remaining counts after sentencing if Patel fulfils all conditionsPatel has waived significant appeal rights under the agreement
