Larry Williams, Conspiring to Stage Automobile Accident, Louisiana 2017

Larry Williams, a 49-year-old New Orleans man, has been sentenced for his role in a brazen staged automobile accident conspiracy. The incident, which occurred on June 12, 2017, on Chef Menteur Highway near the Danziger Bridge, was part of a larger scheme to defraud insurance and trucking companies.

According to court documents, Williams conspired with Damian Labeaud, Mario Solomon, and Genetta Isreal to stage the accident. Labeaud and Williams planned to obtain money through fraud, with Labeaud telling Williams that he had an attorney who would handle everything. Williams recruited Isreal and another individual to participate in the scheme.

On the day of the accident, Labeaud operated a Chevrolet Trailblazer to collide with a 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer. After the staged accident, Labeaud fled the scene, and Williams got behind the wheel to make it appear that he was operating the Trailblazer during the staged accident. Solomon picked up Labeaud after the staged accident.

Williams claimed to the New Orleans Police Department that he was the driver of the Trailblazer and that the tractor-trailer was at fault. Following the accident, Labeaud introduced Williams and Isreal to Attorney A. Williams and Isreal were then treated by doctors and healthcare providers at the direction of Attorney A.

Attorney A told Williams that he would receive more money if he had shoulder surgery. On June 12, 2018, Attorney A’s law partner, Attorney B, filed a lawsuit in Civil District Court on behalf of Williams. On September 14, 2018, Attorney B demanded approximately $60,000.00 in settlement for the deceased passenger and approximately $56,155.00 in settlement for Isreal.

Williams and Isreal provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the lawsuit. United States District Judge Eldon Fallon sentenced Williams to 3 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release. Additionally, Williams was ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee and restitution of $28,816.64. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Carboni, Edward Rivera, and Brandon Long.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. ‘Operation Sideswipe’ has resulted in the conviction of thirty-eight defendants thus far.

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