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Special session to redraw congressional map eyed
Judge OKs some evidence in Haynes trial Investigators allege man sought to divert participants to companies
BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
DeVillier on Tuesday confirmed he wants state lawmakers to be prepared to go into a special session should that be needed pending the outcome of the Supreme Court redistricting case, but he declined to comment further. Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, who chairs the Senate committee that handles redistricting, said that if “Gov. Landry calls us back in for a special session, I am willing to go back in to draw a new map.” Landry, through a spokesperson, declined to comment on whether he plans to
A federal judge in a bribery case against a Lafayette assistant district attorney has ruled that prosecutors may introduce evidence at trial that Gary Haynes attempted to join another bribery scheme but may not mention his wife’s bribery conviction years ago. U.S. District Judge David Joseph of the Western District of Louisiana made the ruling following a Tuesday hearing. A federal grand jury in September indicted Gary Haynes, an assistant district attorney in Lafay- Haynes ette, with conspiracy to engage in bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds; bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds; use of a facility in interstate commerce in aid of bribery (two counts); conspiracy to commit money laundering; and obstruction of justice. Investigators allege Haynes, who was in charge of the pretrial diversion program in the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Lafayette, conspired with others to funnel program participants to certain companies that he had deals with. The pretrial intervention participants would pay the companies to clear their charges and Haynes would receive kickbacks for the referrals, investigators allege. Haynes also allegedly persuaded others involved in the scheme to
ä See SESSION, page 5A
ä See HAYNES, page 5A
STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, on Tuesday sent a text message to House members telling them to keep their schedules flexible as legislative leaders prepare for a possible special session.
“He wants us to be prepared,” said state with the holidays. Louisiana lawmakers Rep. Beau Beaullieu, a New Iberia Re“We want to let the process play out with publican who chairs the committee that the Supreme Court,” he said. “There’s a lot preparing for Supreme would oversee a redistricting effort. “He we don’t know, and so I think this is just started letting members know today, just our way of being put on notice that we Court decision might have to take some action.” to put it on your radar,
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling later this year in a highly anticipated redistricting case could change the rules for how Louisiana draws its voting maps for Congress — and if it does, legislative leaders are readying for a potential special session. House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, REunice, on Tuesday sent a text message to House members telling them to keep their schedules flexible between Oct. 23 and Nov. 13.
just in case.” “I don’t think anything is a definite at this point,” he said Tuesday. Beaullieu noted that oral arguments before the Supreme Court are scheduled for Oct. 15, DeVillier and it’s not possible to know how the high court will rule or what type of action lawmakers would have to take as a result. At the same time, there’s only a narrow window for a special session between that October date and when lawmakers start to become unavailable
All 55 million U.S. visas under review
Wife still searching for husband 2 years after disappearance
ä Crackdown has D.C. Violations could residents on edge. PAGE 7A lead to deportation
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
Lara Vergenal has tried to get her life back on track ever since her husband, Willard “Bill” Daspit, 58, disappeared from their home in September 2023 in the small unincorporated town of Coteau Holmes in St. Martin Parish. But the lack of closure has made that difficult. During the past two years, she’s handed out flyers,
BY MATTHEW LEE AP diplomatic writer
STAFF PHOTO By STEPHEN MARCANTEL
Willard ‘Bill’ Daspit disappeared from his home in St. ä See SEARCHING, page 5A Martin Parish in September 2023.
WEATHER HIGH 90 LOW 74 PAGE 18C
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Thursday it is reviewing more than 55 million people who have valid U.S. visas for any violations that could lead to deportation, part of a growing crackdown
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on foreigners who are permitted to be in the United States. In a written answer to a question from The Associated Press, the State Department said all U.S. visa holders, which can include tourists from many countries,
ä See VISAS, page 7A
101ST yEAR, NO. 53