Stuntwoman-Turned-Lawyer Indicted in Staged Crash Insurance Fraud Scheme

Vanessa Motta and seven others face federal charges for orchestrating fake accidents, with allegations of obstruction and a related murder complicating the case.

• Vanessa Motta, a former Hollywood stuntwoman and personal injury attorney, is accused of participating in a staged car crash scheme in New Orleans to file fraudulent insurance claims.
• The alleged conspiracy involved professional drivers, known as 'slammers,' who intentionally caused accidents with 18-wheelers, passengers who falsely claimed to be drivers, and fake witnesses blaming truck drivers.
• Motta is charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, obstructing justice, and witness tampering, and has pleaded not guilty while claiming she was victimized by others in the scheme.
• The scheme allegedly turned deadly when Ryan 'Red' Harris, an accused participant, killed a co-conspirator cooperating with federal authorities to conceal the operation.
• Motta's law license was suspended following the charges, and she is currently free on a $250,000 bond pending trial.

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