WBRZ - Baton Rouge

NEW ORLEANS - Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Irvin F. "Jiff" Hingle has been indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bribery concerning a program involving federal funds.

Hingle, sheriff since 1991, submitted his resignation just before Wednesday's indictment.

According to court documents, in 2007 the sheriff's office entered into a contract with Benetech, LLC, to provide services relating to recovery from damages due to previous and future natural disasters. In early- to mid-2008, on two separate occasions, Hingle is accused of approving Benetech's invoices and issued checks to Benetech.

The indictment charges that within weeks of his approvals, W. Aaron Bennett, the owner of Benetech, paid Hingle a total of $20,000 in payments, intending to influence him.