Gary Haynes Convicted on All Charges

Conviction of Former Assistant District Attorney in Federal Bribery Case

In a recent federal trial held in Lafayette, Louisiana, former Assistant District Attorney Gary Haynes was found guilty on all charges related to a bribery scheme. The jury reached its verdict within just three hours, delivering guilty verdicts for conspiracy to engage in bribery, actual bribery, use of an interstate facility for bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and obstruction of justice.

Haynes now faces the possibility of up to 65 years in prison, along with five years of supervised release, and could be fined as much as $250,000 or face both penalties. His legal team, led by Criminal Defense Attorney Todd S. Clemons, worked tirelessly throughout the trial but ultimately could not secure an acquittal.

“We gave it our all,” Clemons said. “The jurors were very attentive and gave us serious consideration, but it didn’t go our way. We certainly didn’t leave anything on the table.”

The Charges Against Gary Haynes

Haynes was accused of working with individuals such as Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques to solicit bribes and kickbacks while serving as an assistant district attorney at the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Federal prosecutors presented evidence including wiretapped calls, text messages, and video recordings that allegedly showed the extent of the alleged misconduct.

Clemons acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming the evidence presented by the prosecution. “Those procedural recordings were very difficult to overcome,” he said. “It’s hard when you hear someone in their own words making comments, but we felt like that wasn’t enough to prove a conspiracy. However, the jury clearly disagreed.”

The Pretrial Intervention Program and Alleged Misconduct

During his tenure, Haynes oversaw the Pretrial Intervention (PTI) program, which provided an alternative to criminal prosecution for certain charges. According to authorities, Haynes allegedly directed approved defendants to take classes from Franques’s companies. These defendants paid fees to enroll in the courses, which allowed them to complete the PTI program and have their charges dismissed.

Prosecutors claim that Haynes received kickbacks in exchange for admitting individuals into the PTI program, directing them to Franques’s companies, and then dismissing the charges against those who enrolled in and paid for the courses.

Efforts to Conceal the Scheme

To further obscure the nature of the financial transactions, Haynes and his co-conspirators reportedly discussed several methods to hide the proceeds of the kickback scheme. One idea involved reactivating a defunct company to funnel the money, while another suggested providing Haynes with a new truck instead of directly transferring the funds.

Additionally, Haynes is accused of instructing a co-conspirator to alter, destroy, and conceal documents and records to prevent them from being used in future legal proceedings. These actions are believed to have been part of a broader effort to cover up the illegal activities.

Legal Implications and Next Steps

With the conviction, the next phase of the case will involve sentencing, where the court will determine the exact punishment for Haynes. This case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendant and the serious allegations of corruption within the judicial system.

As the legal process continues, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public office. It also highlights the complex nature of federal investigations and the challenges faced by both prosecutors and defense attorneys in navigating intricate legal cases.