A former stuntwoman from Hollywood, now a lawyer, is facing serious legal challenges as she has been indicted for her involvement in a scheme that allegedly involved faked car accidents. Vanessa Motta, aged 43, was charged alongside a group that supposedly staged crashes to file fraudulent lawsuits for monetary gain.
According to federal prosecutors, Motta participated in orchestrating these staged accidents, which included deliberately crashing into large trucks. This complex conspiracy allegedly took place in the New Orleans area, implicating Motta and her fiancé, Sean Alfortish, a disbarred attorney. Together with other co-conspirators, they are accused of fraudulently representing plaintiffs claiming injury from these supposed accidents.
The scheme’s basics involved what law enforcement has termed “slammers”—individuals who would instigate a crash and then escape the scene with assistance from a getaway driver. Once the crash occurred, passengers in the vehicle would claim to have been driving in order to pursue compensation. Witnesses were coerced or recruited to serve as proof that the other party was at fault.
Motta’s role in this fraudulent operation was substantial, as she is claimed to have filed misleading claims and lawsuits shortly after these staged crashes took place. She entered a not guilty plea when she was brought to court recently.
The situation took a darker turn when it was revealed that after learning about the ongoing investigation, Motta and others allegedly attempted to obstruct justice and intimidate witnesses. In a particularly alarming incident, one individual accused of being a “slammer” has been tied to the murder of a former associate who was purportedly involved in the scheme, highlighting the lengths to which some would go to protect their illegal activities.
As of early December, Motta faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Following these serious allegations, both she and another attorney involved in the case, Jason Giles, saw their law licenses suspended toward the end of December.
In her past, Motta was known for her roles as a stuntwoman in popular films such as “Jurassic World” and “Logan.” She frequently used her Hollywood experience in her marketing efforts as a lawyer, portraying herself as a tough advocate for her clients. Advertisements promoting her services referred to her as a “stuntwoman turned bad a– attorney” in an attempt to attract more clients.
Motta’s attorney, Sean Toomey, has publicly defended her, asserting that she was an unwitting victim in this scheme, manipulated by others. He emphasizes that Motta did not orchestrate the staged accidents and was not aware of any wrongdoing until much later.
This unfolding case raises serious questions about ethics in the legal profession, particularly regarding attorneys who may exploit their positions for personal gain. With the potential for significant repercussions, both for those involved in the fraudulent activities and for the broader reputation of the legal field, the situation warrants careful attention.
As authorities continue to investigate, community members in New Orleans and beyond are left wondering how extensive this fraud may be and what measures will be taken to hold those responsible accountable. The case also serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities within the legal system and the importance of integrity in practice.
