Operation Sideswipe: NOLA Attorneys on Fraud Trial for Staging Crashes

The Cast of Characters

The current trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter, focuses on four defendants and two law firms:

• Vanessa Motta: A former Hollywood stuntwoman-turned-attorney, Motta built a personal injury practice featuring her own image on billboards under the slogan "Send 'Er In!" She and her firm, Motta Law, face charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering
• Jason Giles: An attorney and partner at The King Firm, Giles is accused of working with alleged "slammers" for years, processing staged crash cases in exchange for kickbacks. He faces the same core charges
• Diaminike Stalbert: A lesser player in the alleged scheme, Stalbert faces conspiracy charges and counts of making false statements to federal agents
• The "slammers" and "spotters": These were the street-level operatives. "Spotters" drove around, searching for 18-wheelers to target. "Slammers"—including Damian Labeaud, Ryan "Red" Harris, and the late Cornelius Garrison—were paid to intentionally crash into trucks, often filling the cars with passengers recruited for the purpose. After a crash, the driver would flee, and a passenger would move into the driver's seat to claim they were operating the vehicle
• The shadowy figure: Sean Alfortish: A disbarred attorney and former Kenner magistrate, Alfortish was Motta's fiancé. Prosecutors allege he was a central figure in the conspiracy and, critically, is accused of orchestrating the 2020 murder of Cornelius Garrison to prevent him from testifying. Alfortish will face trial separately in August

The Scheme: How It Worked

Prosecutors allege the conspiracy operated for years, exploiting Louisiana's legal landscape.

• Staged wrecks: "Slammers" would intentionally collide with 18-wheelers, creating crash scenes designed to generate injury claims. One cooperating witness, attorney Danny Patrick Keating, who pleaded guilty in 2021, testified that he was involved in at least 120 staged wrecks. He described wrapping cash payments in newspapers and tossing them into a slammer's truck with the code phrase, "Did you read the paper today?"
• Fraudulent claims: Attorneys would then file lawsuits against trucking companies, seeking large insurance payouts. Passengers were coached on what to say. In some cases, alleged victims were convinced to undergo unnecessary neck and back surgeries because, as prosecutors claim Motta told one, "that's where the big money is"
• The payoff: "Slammers" and passengers received kickbacks—sometimes as little as $1,000 per person—while the attorneys collected millions. The ripple effect was felt by every Louisiana driver, as insurance companies passed the costs along in the form of skyrocketing premiums

The Investigation & a Murder

The scheme began to unravel when insurance defense attorneys flagged suspicious patterns. One Lafayette attorney, James Dill, testified that, after reviewing video of a 2017 crash involving the Loyola University volleyball team, he concluded the impact "appeared to be intentional."

The FBI launched "Operation Sideswipe," and Cornelius Garrison began cooperating, wearing a wire and implicating Motta, Giles, Alfortish, and others. He told agents he'd staged at least 50 crashes and showed them $192,000 in checks from Alfortish's company.

But in September 2020, just days after his name appeared in an indictment, Garrison was gunned down on his mother's doorstep in Gentilly. Prosecutors allege Alfortish and another man, Leon "Chunky" Parker, arranged the hit. Ryan Harris, a slammer who has pleaded guilty to his role in the murder plot, is now cooperating and testified that Alfortish and Motta told him Garrison was a "rat and a snitch" and that "it would be better" if he were dead.

Where Things Stand

The trial began in early March 2026 and is expected to last through the month. Prosecutors have called a parade of cooperating witnesses, including Labeaud, Harris, and Keating.

The defense strategy has been twofold. For Motta, attorney Sean Toomey argues she was a "baby naive lawyer" with "terrible taste in men" who was duped by Alfortish. Giles's attorney claims he acted appropriately once suspicions were raised and that the clients lied to him.

Federal prosecutors are seeking to prove that Motta and Giles were knowing participants, not unwitting victims. FBI agents have testified about evidence gathered, including recordings Garrison made before his death and text messages revealing coded communications.

What This Means for Our Readers

This trial is a powerful, cautionary tale, but it is also a story about accountability. It demonstrates that when individuals exploit the legal system for greed, they can and will be prosecuted. The overwhelming majority of personal injury attorneys are ethical professionals who dedicate their careers to helping real victims of negligence secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

• Real victims need real lawyers: For every staged crash, there are countless legitimate accidents where families face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and lifelong suffering. The attorneys we partner with are committed to serving those genuine needs, not exploiting the system
• Fraud harms everyone: This scheme drove up insurance costs for every Louisiana driver. It also unfairly tarnished the reputation of an entire profession. Holding bad actors accountable protects both the public and the integrity of the legal system
• Justice is being served: With over 50 guilty pleas already, and this trial moving forward, the message is clear: the courts will not tolerate this kind of corruption. The system works to root out bad actors

The trial continues, with prosecutors expected to rest their case soon. Meanwhile, Alfortish and Parker await their own trial for murder in August. The outcome of these proceedings will determine whether those at the very top of this alleged conspiracy are held fully accountable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a legitimate accident, you deserve an attorney who will fight for your rights with integrity and skill. The independent attorneys we connect you with are dedicated to helping real victims recover the compensation they need; no staged crashes required.