New Orleans attorneys found guilty in plot to stage vehicle accidents for payouts
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Two New Orleans attorneys were convicted of orchestrating staged vehicle accidents with tractor-trailers to file fraudulent insurance claims.
How This Affects You
Your auto insurance premiums may increase as insurance companies adjust rates to account for staged accident fraud schemes uncovered in litigation.
AI Summary
A federal jury in New Orleans found personal injury attorneys Jason Giles and Vanessa Motta guilty Friday of orchestrating a scheme to stage vehicle collisions with tractor-trailers and file fraudulent lawsuits for settlement payouts. Prosecutors alleged the lawyers paid "slammers" — individuals hired to intentionally crash into 18-wheelers — to generate fake accident claims. The convictions on fraud and obstruction of justice charges represent a significant takedown of what authorities say was a coordinated insurance fraud operation. Motta, a former Hollywood stuntwoman, brought specialized knowledge of staged collisions to the conspiracy. The case underscores how organized accident-staging schemes can inflate insurance costs and expose truckers and their insurers to costly litigation.
What's Being Done
A federal jury in New Orleans convicted attorneys Jason Giles and Vanessa Motta of fraud and obstruction related to staging collisions.
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