What was the outcome for attorneys Jason Giles and Vanessa Motta?

Attorneys Jason Giles and Vanessa Motta were found guilty by a federal jury of fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering for their involvement in staging collisions with 18-wheelers.

How did the staged collision scheme impact Louisiana drivers?

The prevalence of car accident fraud in Louisiana, including staged collisions, is estimated to have added at least $600 annually in car insurance costs for the state's drivers.

What is Operation Sideswipe?

Operation Sideswipe is an investigation that has led to over 50 convictions, mostly involving individuals who admitted to causing staged crashes as part of a scheme for quick financial payoffs.

Home / Crime and Justice / New Orleans Lawyers Guilty of Truck Collision Fraud

New Orleans Lawyers Guilty of Truck Collision Fraud

21 Mar

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Summary

Two lawyers convicted of orchestrating staged truck collisions for settlements.
Fraud scheme added $600 annually to Louisiana car insurance costs.
Operation Sideswipe led to over 50 convictions for crash fraud.

New Orleans Lawyers Guilty of Truck Collision Fraud

In New Orleans, a federal jury found personal injury attorneys Jason Giles and Vanessa Motta guilty of fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Their law firms also faced convictions for their involvement in a scheme to stage collisions with tractor-trailers. Prosecutors alleged the lawyers paid individuals, known as "slammers," to intentionally crash into trucks. The goal was to file lawsuits and secure larger settlement payouts from trucking companies and insurers. This type of accident fraud in Louisiana has reportedly added at least $600 annually to car insurance costs for drivers in the state.