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
