The ongoing Staged Wrecks trial in New Orleans has entered a crucial phase as another important witness appeared in federal court. The case centers on a large Staged Wrecks insurance fraud scheme that allegedly involved attorneys, runners, and staged car accidents designed to collect insurance payouts.
One of the government’s main witnesses, Damiean Labeaud, testified about his involvement in the Staged Wrecks operation. Labeaud previously pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme and is now cooperating with federal prosecutors.
The trial involves two prominent attorneys, Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles, who are accused of taking part in the Staged Wrecks operation. Both defendants face several charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. The trial is expected to continue for about three weeks as the court reviews the details of the alleged Staged Wrecks conspiracy.
Who Is Damiean Labeaud?
During the Staged Wrecks trial, Damiean Labeaud explained that he worked as a “runner” for the King Firm, a role that involved recruiting people to participate in staged car crashes.
Labeaud admitted that he accepted payments to organize these Staged Wrecks accidents. According to his testimony, he could earn as much as $15,000 in a single week, depending on how many people were involved in the crashes.
However, Labeaud told the court that he no longer has any of the money he made during the Staged Wrecks scheme.
He also made a striking statement during his testimony, saying that organizing Staged Wrecks was “easier than selling drugs.”
How the Staged Wrecks Scheme Allegedly Worked
While describing the Staged Wrecks operation, Labeaud detailed how the accidents were organized and how participants were paid.
He explained that payments were often based on the number of people involved in each staged accident. For example, he mentioned receiving about $3,000 for a crash involving three individuals.
In some weeks, he said, the number of accidents arranged could lead to payments between $12,000 and $15,000.
Below is a simplified overview of the payments mentioned during the Staged Wrecks testimony.
| Accident Participants | Example Payment |
|---|---|
| 3 people in crash | About $3,000 |
| Multiple staged crashes in week | $12,000 – $15,000 |
| Payments method | Cash and checks |
Labeaud also told the court that Jason Giles kept large amounts of cash in his office, sometimes thousands of dollars at a time. According to him, they were withdrawing so much cash from banks that it began to raise concerns.
Relationship Between Labeaud and Giles
During the Staged Wrecks trial testimony, Labeaud described his early relationship with Giles.
He explained that he first met Giles when he was working for the Womac firm, before the alleged Staged Wrecks activities began.
Labeaud told the jury that Giles spoke about launching his own firm, which later became The King Firm. According to Labeaud, Giles told him he would be part of the new venture.
Labeaud said he was excited at the time and believed they were about to make significant money.
He also described how the firm rapidly expanded. When he first began working there, the office occupied only one floor of a building. Later, he said, Giles ended up owning the entire building.
Expansion of the Alleged Staged Wrecks Operation
As the Staged Wrecks scheme allegedly grew, Labeaud said he performed many different tasks around the office. These included arranging accidents and handling daily errands.
He testified that most people working at the firm did not know what his real responsibilities were.
According to Labeaud, he and Giles developed a close personal relationship over time, describing their connection as almost like family.
He also admitted that during the years he participated in the Staged Wrecks operation, he was never worried about being caught.
Involvement of Other Lawyers
During the Staged Wrecks testimony, Labeaud explained that his relationship with Giles eventually became strained. As a result, he began working with another attorney, Patrick Danny Keating of the Keating Firm.
Labeaud recalled that Keating expressed interest in participating in the Staged Wrecks scheme by telling him, “I want to play.”
He also stated that accident victims were often directed to a network of preferred doctors who would document injuries. These medical reports were then used to support insurance claims connected to the Staged Wrecks accidents.
Arrest and Cooperation with Investigators
Labeaud testified that he was eventually arrested for his role in the Staged Wrecks scheme. He told the court he was not shocked by the arrest because he believed the situation was becoming “hot,” meaning law enforcement was closing in.
After his arrest, he said he realized that everyone involved in the Staged Wrecks operation would have to protect themselves.
He also claimed that Giles promised to help him obtain a lawyer but never followed through.
During the emotional testimony, Labeaud described text messages he sent to Giles discussing staged accidents, payments, and code words used to organize the Staged Wrecks activities.
Defense Questions Witness Credibility
Defense attorneys representing Vanessa Motta, Jason Giles, and the King Firm challenged Labeaud’s credibility during cross-examination.
They argued that Labeaud might be shifting blame onto Giles in order to reduce his own legal consequences.
However, Labeaud insisted that he had been truthful with federal investigators and maintained that Giles was aware of the Staged Wrecks operation.
Federal prosecutors also revisited Labeaud’s previous interviews with the FBI, which took place between 2019 and 2020, where he discussed the alleged Staged Wrecks conspiracy.
Trial Continues in Federal Court
After several hours of testimony, Labeaud stepped down from the witness stand on Friday afternoon.
The Staged Wrecks trial is expected to continue for approximately two more weeks, as additional witnesses and evidence are presented in federal court.
The ongoing Staged Wrecks trial in New Orleans continues to reveal new details about an alleged insurance fraud operation involving staged car accidents, lawyers, and recruited participants. The testimony from Damiean Labeaud has provided prosecutors with a detailed account of how the Staged Wrecks scheme may have worked, including payments, recruitment methods, and connections between participants.
However, defense attorneys have challenged the credibility of the witness, arguing that he may be blaming others to protect himself. As the Staged Wrecks trial moves forward, the court will hear more testimony and review further evidence before determining the final outcome of this high-profile case.