Lafayette, Louisiana – A former Louisiana prosecutor has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a long-running bribery and kickback scheme tied to a pretrial diversion program he oversaw.

On Dec. 12, 2025, Gary Haynes, 67, of Lafayette, was sentenced after a September conviction on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to engage in bribery, bribery, use of a facility in interstate commerce in aid of bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and obstruction of justice.

Haynes served as an Assistant District Attorney in the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, where he supervised the office’s Pretrial Intervention, or PTI, program.

Prosecutors: Public Trust Betrayed

Federal officials described the case as a serious breach of public trust by a senior local prosecutor.

“Prosecutors bear among the most consequential public trusts in our society, determining matters of liberty, accountability, and the pursuit of justice. Gary Haynes betrayed that system of trust to satisfy his own greed,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This prosecution, which resulted from amazing work by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, shows the commitment our Office and the Department of Justice has to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring that those who undermine it are held accountable.”

Jonathan Tapp, special agent in charge of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, said Haynes “betrayed the trust of the people of Louisiana when he traded his sacred honor for bribes,” adding that the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to protecting the public from bribery schemes that “undermine faith in our great Republic.”

Demetrius Hardeman, special agent in charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Atlanta Field Office, emphasized the responsibility that comes with public office.

“As an Assistant District Attorney, Gary Haynes was entrusted to faithfully perform his duties on behalf of the public,” Hardeman said. “Instead of putting his public interest above personal gain, he misused his office to enrich himself through bribes and kickbacks from vendors. IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue investigating and forwarding for prosecution those who fail to uphold ethics in the public trust.”

How The Pretrial Intervention Scheme Worked

Evidence presented at trial showed that Haynes used his control over the PTI program to steer defendants into classes operated by a private vendor in exchange for kickbacks.

The PTI program was designed as an alternative to criminal prosecution for certain offenders. Defendants who were approved could complete specific requirements, such as classes or counseling, and then seek dismissal of their criminal charges.

According to prosecutors, Haynes conspired with Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques to turn that system into a money-making scheme:

• As the supervising prosecutor, Haynes approved defendants for entry into the PTI program.
• Once approved, he directed them to take classes from companies owned by Franques.
• Defendants paid those companies to complete the PTI requirements.
• After completion and payment, Haynes dismissed their criminal charges.

In return, prosecutors said, Haynes, Guidry, and Franques agreed that Haynes would receive kickbacks from the money flowing through Franques’s companies. Those kickbacks were tied to Haynes accepting people into the PTI program, sending them to Franques’s businesses, and then dismissing their cases once they paid for and completed the courses.

Efforts To Conceal The Kickbacks

Trial evidence also showed that Haynes and his co-conspirators discussed several methods to hide the source and nature of the payments, which supported the money laundering and obstruction charges.

Among the concealment efforts described in court:

• Haynes considered reactivating a defunct company to disguise the proceeds from the kickback scheme, making the payments appear to be legitimate business income.
• The group discussed providing Haynes with a new truck instead of paying him directly, a method that would have converted cash kickbacks into a tangible asset.

Prosecutors further established that Haynes directed a co-conspirator to alter, destroy, and conceal documents and records. Those materials were related to the scheme and, according to the government, were targeted so they would not be available in any future legal proceeding. That conduct formed part of the basis for the obstruction of justice conviction.

Federal Investigation And Prosecution

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation, agencies that often partner in public corruption and financial crime cases. FBI agents focused on the corruption aspects, while IRS investigators examined financial records and money flows related to the kickbacks.

The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and John W. Nickel, along with Steven Loew of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Public Integrity Section. The Public Integrity Section specializes in cases involving public officials who are accused of abusing their positions.

Federal officials framed the case as part of a broader effort to protect the integrity of the justice system in Louisiana and across the country. By targeting misconduct inside law enforcement and prosecutorial offices, they said, the Justice Department aims to reinforce public confidence that the legal system is applied fairly, even to those who work within it.

No additional details about potential appeals, restitution, or fines were provided in the information released.