Truck Accident Lawyer Fraud: Attorneys Guilty in Staged Crash Scheme
New Orleans – Personal injury attorneys Jason Giles and Vanessa Motta were found guilty on all counts Friday and ordered jailed pending sentencing, following a brazen fraud scheme involving hundreds of pre-planned collisions with 18-wheelers and numerous bogus injury claims. The verdict marks a significant outcome in the federal investigation dubbed “Operation Sideswipe.”
The Scheme Unveiled
Giles and Motta were each convicted on eight charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, multiple counts of mail fraud, and witness tampering. Their respective law firms were also found guilty. The jury reached the verdict after more than five hours of deliberation in a packed federal courtroom. The prosecution presented evidence detailing a network of “slammers” – individuals paid to intentionally cause accidents with tractor-trailers – and the subsequent filing of fraudulent injury claims.
Emotional Aftermath and Detention
As Chief U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter read the verdict, Motta visibly reacted with distress, embracing her teenage daughter. Defense attorneys argued for the lawyers’ release pending sentencing, citing family obligations and typical practices in fraud cases. However, Judge Vitter ordered both attorneys jailed, citing concerns over witness tampering and Motta’s previous violation of release conditions, including contact with a potential witness. Adding to the complexity, Motta’s fiancé, Sean Alfortish, is currently awaiting trial for the alleged murder of Cornelius Garrison III, a key witness who had cooperated with the FBI.
The Role of “Slammers” and Testimony
The case hinged on testimony from individuals like Damian Labeaud, a “slammer” who testified to being paid $1,000 for each adult passenger involved in a staged collision with a big rig. Labeaud claimed to have delivered hundreds of such “victims” to Giles and another attorney, Danny Patrick Keating Jr. He also implicated others within The King Firm.
Prosecutors argued that Motta, Giles, and other attorneys knowingly conspired with these “slammers” to generate a constant stream of lucrative, fabricated injury claims. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson emphasized that the attorneys “abused their positions and violated their oaths.”
Guilty Pleas and Ongoing Investigations
Danny Patrick Keating Jr. had previously pleaded guilty and testified at the trial, detailing his knowledge of the scheme. Another slammer, Ryan Harris, testified about a similar arrangement with Motta and Alfortish. A third defendant, Diaminike Stalbert, was convicted of making false statements to FBI agents but acquitted on the main conspiracy charge. The investigation remains ongoing, with Alfortish and Leon “Chunky” Parker facing trial in August for the alleged murder of Cornelius Garrison III.
Implications and Future Sentencing
The guilty verdicts represent a major blow to the integrity of the legal profession in New Orleans. The case has already led to approximately 50 guilty verdicts. Motta is scheduled for sentencing on July 7, and Giles on July 14. Each faces a maximum 20-year federal prison term. The investigation highlights the potential for abuse within the legal system and the importance of vigilance in protecting against fraudulent claims. You can find more information about legal ethics and fraud prevention at the American Bar Association website.
This case underscores the importance of seeking reputable and ethical legal representation, especially in the aftermath of a truck accident.
