Two Attorneys Convicted in Louisiana Staged Accident Scam Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles were found guilty of multiple charges related to a Louisiana staged accident scam, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The jury deliberated for about six hours after closing arguments concluded on Thursday. The case was heard in the U.S. Eastern District of Louisiana, where the pair was remanded to federal custody following the verdicts. Local news reports described chaotic scenes in the courtroom after the verdicts were read, including emotional reactions from Motta’s family and security interventions. Motta was convicted of mail fraud, wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Giles faced similar charges, as did his employer, the King Firm. These charges align with those previously brought against other individuals in the case, many of whom pleaded guilty to avoid trial. The Motta/Giles trial was the first in the ongoing investigation, with most other cases either unresolved or involving guilty pleas from over 40 individuals. The U.S. Attorney stated that Operation Sideswipe, the investigation into the scam, has charged 63 people in total. Daiminike Stalbert, a co-conspirator, was acquitted of conspiracy charges but found guilty of making false statements to federal agents. Sentencing dates were set for Motta on July 7, Giles and the King Firm a week later, and Stalbert a week after that. The charges carry severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for mail fraud and wire fraud, 10 years for obstruction of justice, and significant financial penalties such as restitution. The trial spanned three weeks, including jury selection, and featured testimony from federal prosecutors.#vanessa_motta #jason_giles #king_firm #operation_sideswipe #us_attorney_eastern_district_of_louisiana
New Orleans Staged Wrecks Trial: Testimony of Ryan Harris Reveals Fraud Scheme Ryan Harris, a convicted fraudster who pleaded guilty to staging car crashes for insurance fraud, testified in federal court this week as part of the trial of Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles. Harris, serving a 40-year prison sentence, described how he worked with Motta, a former stuntwoman turned lawyer, and Giles, a partner at the King Firm, to orchestrate crashes involving large 18-wheelers and other vehicles. The scheme allegedly involved creating fake accidents, fabricating injuries, and submitting fraudulent insurance claims to collect millions in payouts. Harris admitted to staging wrecks for multiple individuals, including his cousin Shirley, Whalen Collins, Woneyesha Winchester, and Tiffany Turner. He claimed Motta coached him on how to manipulate crash scenarios, instructing him to exaggerate damage and injuries to align with the insurance policies of victims. Harris testified that Motta emphasized targeting companies like Liberty Mutual, which he said paid out generously for claims. He also described how Motta pressured him to undergo unnecessary medical procedures, such as an ablation surgery, to create credible injuries for the fraud scheme. The prosecution presented Harris as a key witness, highlighting his role in recruiting participants and coordinating crashes. Harris stated he and Cornelius Garrison, another slammer in the scheme who was murdered, staged over 80 crashes for Motta and her fiancé, Sean Alfortish. He admitted to acting as a spotter in some incidents, ensuring crashes were executed properly, while Garrison served as the primary driver in others. Harris also detailed how he and others met in conference rooms at Motta’s office to rehearse stories and damage reports, ensuring consistency in their accounts.#ryan_harris #vanessa_motta #jason_giles #king_firm #new_orleans_east
