New Orleans Attorneys Convicted in Staged Wreck Scheme A jury has convicted two prominent New Orleans attorneys, Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles, on all charges related to a sprawling scheme involving staged car accidents and insurance fraud. The verdict, delivered after nearly three weeks of intense testimony, marks a significant legal milestone in a case that has drawn national attention for its alleged coordination between attorneys, drivers, and insurance fraud rings. Motta was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, three counts of obstruction of justice, and four counts of witness tampering. Her law firm was also convicted of the same charges. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7 at 9 a.m. Giles faced one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, five counts of obstruction of justice, and six counts of witness tampering. His firm was similarly convicted. Giles’ sentencing is set for July 14 at 9 a.m. Both attorneys were detained following the verdict. The trial revealed a complex web of criminal activity, with prosecutors arguing that Motta and Giles orchestrated a years-long scheme to stage accidents and manipulate insurance claims. Judge Wendy Vitter, who presided over the case, stated that the jury found "beyond a reasonable doubt" that Giles knew he was under investigation, citing text messages and recorded conversations with witnesses. She also emphasized that the jury determined Motta was complicit in the death of a key witness, Cornelius Garrison, and that evidence of her involvement would be presented in a second trial scheduled for August. The courtroom erupted in chaos during the proceedings as Motta’s mother fainted after the verdict.#vanessa_motta #jason_giles #judge_wendy_vitter #us_attorney_michael_simpson #law_firm_king
