NEW ORLEANS — Eight individuals and two law firms have been indicted in connection with a widespread staged car crash scheme in the New Orleans area, according to an announcement from the Louisiana Department of Justice on Monday, December 9.
The indictment includes charges of conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and retaliation through murder. Those indicted are:
Ryan J. Harris, 36
Sean D. Alfortish, 57
Vanessa Motta, 43, Owner of Motta Law, LLC
Jason F. Giles, 45
Leon M. Parker, 51
Diaminikie F. Stalbert, 34
Carl Morgan, 66
Timara N. Lawrence, 34
Motta Law, LLC
The King Law Firm, LLC
The case intensified following the FBI’s arrest of Leon Parker on the same day the indictment was unsealed.
Fraudulent Scheme Unveiled
Court documents detail a sophisticated operation in which participants allegedly staged vehicle collisions with 18-wheelers and commercial vehicles to file fraudulent insurance claims. The scheme also involved filing fraudulent lawsuits and misleading investigators to conceal their activities.
Key players reportedly included drivers, known as “slammers,” who deliberately caused collisions before fleeing the scene. Passengers falsely claimed to be the drivers and later worked with “spotters” who acted as witnesses while also facilitating the escape of the “slammers.”
Documents identified Harris, Cornelius Garrison, Damian Labeaud, and Roderick Hickman as key “slammers” who recruited others to participate. They also allegedly steered passengers toward specific attorneys involved in the fraud.
Scope of the Scheme
The operation, which began in December 2011, spanned more than a decade, with participants staging at least 22 crashes. The goal was to secure substantial payouts from fraudulent insurance claims.
Authorities also allege the conspirators obstructed justice and retaliated against witnesses, with some instances escalating to murder.
Legal Fallout
The indictment marks a significant escalation in efforts to dismantle what officials have described as an extensive and damaging fraud operation. The involvement of law firms in the scheme underscores the level of organization and intent behind the fraudulent activity.
Next Steps
The individuals and firms involved face severe penalties if convicted, including long-term imprisonment for charges like conspiracy and obstruction of justice. This case highlights the ongoing battle against fraudulent schemes that target insurance companies and disrupt legal systems.
Further developments are expected as the case moves through the judicial process.
