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GRAVEyard SCHEME EXPOSED: Eight Individuals and Two Law Firms Charged in Staged Automobile Collisions Racketeering Ring
NEW ORLEANS, LA – A shocking indictment was unsealed in federal court, revealing a sprawling conspiracy of staged automobile collisions, insurance scams, and witness intimidation. At the center of the web lies Ryan J. Harris, a 36-year-old New Orleans resident, who orchestrated the complex scheme with a dozen cohorts.
The superseding indictment, returned on December 6, 2024, and unsealed on December 9, 2024, charges Harris, along with fellow conspirators Sean D. Alfortish, Vanessa Motta, Vanessas law firm MOTTA LAW, LLC, Jason F. Giles, The King Firm, LLC, Carl Morgan, Leon M. Parker, Daminike F. Stalbert, and Timara N. Lawrence, with a range of crimes including mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and murder.
According to the indictment, the defendants intentionally staged automobile collisions in the New Orleans metropolitan area, submitting false insurance claims and filing spurious lawsuits to reap financial rewards. The scheme involved multiple individuals riding in automobiles that intentionally collided with other vehicles, with the goal of collecting insurance payouts.
Harris, dubbed ‘Red,’ allegedly masterminded the operation, using his charisma and influence to recruit and manage the other conspirators. Alfortish, a 57-year-old New Orleans resident, is accused of using his own law firm, MOTTA LAW, LLC, to launder money and facilitate the scheme. The King Firm, LLC, is also implicated in the conspiracy, with Giles and the firm accused of mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.
Leon M. Parker, aka ‘Chunky,’ a 51-year-old New Orleans resident, is charged with making false statements in connection with the scheme. Daminike F. Stalbert, a 34-year-old Metairie resident, is accused of lying to investigators. Timara N. Lawrence, a 34-year-old New Orleans resident, is also charged with conspiracy and mail and wire fraud.
Cornelius Garrison, a former attorney, and Danny Patrick Keating, a now-departed attorney, are implicated in the scheme as well. The indictment alleges that the defendants used sophisticated tactics to evade detection, including bribing officials and intimidating witnesses.
The superseding indictment paints a picture of a sophisticated and ruthless racketeering operation, with Harris and his cohorts using every trick in the book to reap profits from staged automobile collisions. The case highlights the importance of vigilance in law enforcement and the need for the public to be aware of the complexities of organized crime.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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