New Orleans, LA – March 4, 2026 – Testimony in federal court revealed a scheme involving staged car accidents orchestrated by attorney Jason Giles and others from The King Firm.
Danny Patrick Keating Jr., a convicted co-conspirator, testified that he and Giles knowingly participated in fraudulent lawsuits related to accidents staged by Damian Labeaud, described as a prolific “slammer.” Keating admitted to representing 77 plaintiffs from 31 collisions orchestrated by Labeaud.
Keating detailed how he first met Labeaud in 2015 and later agreed to pay him $1,000 for adult passengers and $500 for children involved in staged crashes. The two communicated about these incidents using coded language, referring to adult passengers as “Big Reds” and children as “lil trout.”
He implicated Giles and his partners, Anthony Milazzo and Brian King, stating they were aware of Labeaud's fraudulent activities.
Keating's testimony came as part of a broader investigation into a scheme involving over 240 questionable accidents, which has been linked to rising auto insurance rates in Louisiana. The FBI's Operation Sideswipe has resulted in over 50 indictments since 2019.
Giles and co-defendant Vanessa Motta are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as obstructing justice. Motta contends she was unaware of the fraud. The trial is expected to last three weeks.