NEW ORLEANS — Nearly six years after former WWL Investigative reporter Mike Perlstein first exposed it, the massive federal fraud probe known as “Operation Sideswipe” is finally headed to trial. Jury selection begins Monday, with opening statements expected Tuesday, as two New Orleans attorneys accused of orchestrating staged 18-wheeler crashes — along with two men tied to the murder of a key federal witness , prepare to face a judge.
Federal prosecutors say the alleged scheme sounds like something out of a movie, but unfolded on highways across the New Orleans area. At the center of the case are Vanessa Motta, a former Hollywood stuntwoman turned attorney, and Jason Giles of The King Firm. Investigators allege the pair helped mastermind a multimillion-dollar staged accident scheme targeting commercial trucking companies.
According to court filings, the operation relied on so-called “slammers” — drivers who intentionally crashed into 18-wheelers, then jumped out while passengers claimed injuries. The goal, prosecutors say, was to file lawsuits against trucking companies and secure large settlements…