The Guardian
Prosecutors say they paid ‘slammers’ to intentionally crash into tractor-trailers and file fraudulent lawsuits
A federal jury in New Orleans has found two personal injury attorneys guilty of involving themselves in a scheme to stage collisions with 18-wheelers and then collect settlement payouts.
The lawyers, Jason Giles and former Hollywood stuntwoman Vanessa Motta, were found guilty on Friday of fraud, obstruction of justice and witness tampering, local news outlets WVUE and WWL Louisiana – a Guardian reporting partner – reported. Their law firms were convicted of related charges.
A third defendant, Diaminike Stalbert, was convicted of making false statements but acquitted of a conspiracy charge.
Over nearly three weeks of testimony and arguments in the courtroom of US district judge Wendy Vitter, prosecutors alleged that Giles and Motta paid so-called slammers to intentionally crash into tractor-trailers to then file lawsuits and seek larger settlement payouts. WWL reported that the attorneys admitted they were aware of the plot, but claimed ignorance with respect to its full scope.
Experts estimate that the prevalence of car accident fraud in Louisiana has added at least $600 annually in car insurance costs for the state’s drivers.
Defense attorneys at the trial maintained the scheme was not criminal and, at worst, amounted to professional negligence. Motta’s lawyer in particular portrayed her as a young and inexperienced attorney susceptible to the influence of others around her.
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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/20/new-orleans-lawyers-guilty-accidents-payouts
