NEW ORLEANS — One of the key white-collar defendants in the massive federal fraud case that exposed dozens of intentional accidents with 18-wheelers leading to millions in bogus lawsuit settlements was in federal court today after his surprise arrest.
Sean Alfortish, the disbarred attorney who previously served prison time for fraud in the horse racing industry, was in street clothes wearing handcuffs and shackles as prosecutors recited his indictment accusing him of fraud, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice.
He was one of 10 defendants named in a superseding indictment unsealed on Monday. A hint that the indictment was coming came when federal agents showed up early Monday at Alfortish’s Lake Vista home, but he was not home.
Alfortish’s arrest stands in stark contrast to two accident attorneys who also were indicted Monday — including his fiancee Vanessa — Motta but allowed to respond on their own to a summons. The other attorney indicted Monday is Jason Giles, who was charged along with the firm where he is a partner, The King Firm.
Arraignments have not yet been scheduled for either attorney.
In a case that WWL Louisiana has followed for more than five years in our series “Highway Robbery” has led to about 50 guilty pleas so far.
So far, 49 out of 61 defendants have pleaded guilty in the sprawling case, mostly low-level participants who admitted packing into cars and participating in a scheme for a quick payoff. Some defendants have admitted not only faking their injuries but also going as far as getting major back and neck surgeries to increase their chances of a jackpot settlement.
Previously, the lone attorney indicted in the case – dubbed “Operation Sideswipe” by the feds – was Danny Patrick Keating, who has entered a guilty plea in exchange for his cooperation.
But the stakes were ratcheted much higher earlier this year with indictments earlier in the murder of a federal witness.
While prosecutors have not publicly linked Alfortish, 57 to the murder, they requested that he be held without bail, a motion that will be presented in court Friday.
Motta was indicted along with her law firm, Motta Law, LLC. Motta is the Hollywood stuntwoman-turned-accident-lawyer who has popped up in court documents as the attorney who filed lawsuits on behalf of many of the bogus accident victims.
Another defendant also was ordered held without bail Wednesday. Leon “Chunky” Parker also was indicted Monday on charges of fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.
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