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Defendant Sentenced for Staged Automobile Collision Scheme
In a shocking turn of events, Lois Russell, 63, of Gibson, Louisiana, has been sentenced to five years probation for her involvement in a staged automobile collision scheme in New Orleans.
According to court documents, Russell conspired with Tanya Givens, John Diggs, and James ‘Curtis’ Williams to stage an accident with a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road on March 27, 2017.
Russell advised the NOPD that she was the driver, while in reality, Roderick Hickman, who has already pleaded guilty to staging other accidents, intentionally struck the 18-wheeler and then fled the scene with Damien Labeaud.
As a result of the scheme, the victim trucking and insurance companies paid out $272,500 for the fraudulent claims made by Russell, Givens, Williams, and Diggs.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward J. Rivera, Maria Carboni, and Brandon Long of the Financial Crimes Unit, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.
U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced Russell to five years probation and imposed a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
The brazen scheme has left many wondering how such a large-scale operation was able to unfold without detection. However, authorities are hailing the sentence as a significant victory in the fight against white-collar crime.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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