Federal prosecutors have uncovered a large-scale bribery scheme in Louisiana that allowed at least 124 individuals to obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) without completing the federally required training or passing mandatory examinations.
Three defendants pleaded guilty on July 29 to bribery involving programs receiving federal funds. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the scheme operated from August 2020 through February 2024 and undermined every stage of the commercial driver licensing process.
Restaurant owner led the operation
Mahmoud Alhattab, a local restaurant owner, admitted organizing the scheme by charging CDL applicants an average of $5,000 to obtain commercial driving credentials they had not earned.
Investigators said the operation enabled applicants to bypass all three federally mandated steps required to qualify for a CDL: the written knowledge test, entry-level driver training and the final skills examination.
Office employees falsified knowledge tests
Court documents show that Alhattab bribed two employees at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) in Donaldsonville.
Using cellphone messages, he sent photographs of applicants’ driver’s licenses and identified the endorsements they wanted, including school bus qualifications.
The employees then entered the correct answers into the state’s testing system on behalf of the applicants, allowing them to receive commercial learner’s permits based on falsified test results.
In exchange, Alhattab provided the workers with cash and meals. Prosecutors also said employees allowed him to escort applicants through a private entrance and access restricted areas of the OMV office.
On some occasions, Alhattab even operated the office camera to take learner’s permit photographs.
The written CDL knowledge examination is designed to assess a driver’s understanding of vehicle safety systems, emergency procedures, driving techniques and challenging road conditions before a learner’s permit can be issued.
Fake training records submitted to federal database
After obtaining learner’s permits, most CDL candidates must complete federally required entry-level driver training, including supervised instruction on public roads.
Prosecutors said Alhattab bribed two truck-driving school operators to falsely certify that applicants had completed this training without attending any classes.
One of those operators, Jonathan Parsons, admitted receiving photographs of learner’s permits from Alhattab before creating fraudulent training records.
Parsons then entered false completion reports into the federal training database, allowing applicants to move to the final stage of the licensing process without receiving any instruction.
Skills tests were never conducted
Louisiana also requires CDL applicants to pass a practical skills examination covering pre-trip inspections, vehicle control and on-road driving.
Parsons and another training business operator were certified by the state to administer these tests.
According to prosecutors, Alhattab bribed both examiners to report passing scores for applicants who never completed the required evaluations.
Early in the scheme, Alhattab occasionally drove the test vehicle himself while pretending to be an applicant in order to create the appearance of a legitimate examination.
Later, Parsons simply submitted passing results without either Alhattab or the applicants appearing at the testing site.
Examiner created fraudulent score sheets
A third defendant, Marline Roberts, also admitted participating in the scheme.
Roberts, who worked as a certified CDL examiner, acknowledged creating seven falsified skills-test score sheets during early 2023 to support Parsons’ fraudulent reports.
According to the Department of Justice, Parsons paid Roberts on certain occasions to assist with the operation.
More than 120 fraudulent licenses issued
Alhattab admitted helping at least 124 people obtain commercial driver’s licenses through the scheme.
Parsons acknowledged facilitating at least 118 fraudulent licenses by submitting false training certifications, falsified skills-test results or both.
All three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on October 28.
Each faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
Investigation continues
The investigation was led by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from Louisiana’s Office of Inspector General and the Office of Public Safety Services.
Federal prosecutors noted that additional defendants named in the indictment are still awaiting trial, and the charges against them remain allegations until proven in court.
“The case points out the value of verified testing, driver training and accurate recordkeeping in protecting the freight industry and the traveling public alike.” The individuals were able to obtain commercial driving credentials by circumventing these safeguards without demonstrating the knowledge or practical skills necessary to safely operate heavy commercial vehicles.
