A federal jury in New Orleans has found two prominent attorneys, Vanessa Motta (44) and Jason F. Giles (47), guilty of a major fraud scheme involving staged highway accidents. The verdict marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into a massive insurance fraud operation that lasted over a decade.
The Crime: A Decade of Staged Accidents
Motta and Giles were convicted for running a sophisticated operation from 2011 to 2024. The scheme targeted commercial trucking companies and large insurance policies, with the goal of stealing millions of dollars.
How the Scheme Worked
The criminal group employed “slammers,” individuals who were paid to deliberately cause car accidents, and “spotters,” who drove getaway cars. They also had recruiters, like Diamanike F. Stalbert (35), who was also convicted, to find passengers for the staged crashes.
After causing the accidents, the law firms—Motta Law LLC and The King Firm LLC—filed lawsuits on behalf of the participants. It didn’t stop at faked accidents; prosecutors revealed that the lawyers encouraged victims to undergo unnecessary medical treatments to inflate the value of their insurance claims and settlements.
Charges and Convictions
The jury found Motta and Giles guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud through mail and wire, along with multiple counts of mail fraud. They were also convicted on charges of obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Evidence showed Motta had attempted to bribe a witness to leave the country, while Giles secretly recorded someone in 2020 in an effort to manufacture evidence in his defense.
Wider Impact
The fraudulent operation not only hurt the insurance companies but also impacted insurance policyholders in Louisiana. FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp emphasized the damaging effect the fraud could have had on the state’s insurance system. The case was the result of a seven-year investigation by the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
Sentencing and Future Consequences
The sentencing for Motta and Giles is scheduled for July 2026. They face up to 20 years in prison for the fraud and witness tampering charges, while obstruction of justice carries an additional 10-year sentence. Stalbert faces up to five years for making false statements to federal agents.
