Louisiana lawyers expect trucking companies to “send a message” to anyone considering insurance fraud after lawyers’ conviction

Lawyers in Louisiana say that they expect trucking companies will “send a message” to anyone considering insurance fraud through civil lawsuits aimed at fraudulent firms. 

Lawyers Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles were convicted on Friday, March 20th of collecting millions of dollars through staged wrecks and the filling of false insurance claims in the state of Louisiana. Both individuals will be sentenced in July. 

According to WDSU6, The King Law Firm and Motta Law were also convicted of participating in the insurance fraud. This conviction means that the firms and anyone who worked with those firms may soon bear the brunt of civil lawsuits brought forth by trucking companies. The federal government is likely to ask for restitution payments for trucking and insurance companies that were affected by the fraud. 

“In light of the facts of this case, I would imagine the restitution order coming from the court will be significantly high,” said civil litigation lawyer Larry Centola.

“Absolutely. I don’t care if it’s criminal or civil — we have got to go after these people,” added Renee Amar, executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association.

“We have to send a message, and I think you will see a message sent loud and clear. You’ve already seen a message sent in the criminal trial, but I think the trucking companies will send a message you can’t do this type of behavior in Louisiana,” said State Rep. Nicky Muscarella. 

However, Centola also pointed out that demanding repayment does not necessarily mean a prompt repayment, especially regarding fraud that has been going on for years. 

“The theory would seem pretty sound. I do think the insurance companies will have a lot more difficulty than they anticipate in recovering what the jury says are ill-gotten gains,” said Centola.