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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LARRY WILLIAMS (“WILLIAMS”), age 49, of New Orleans, was sentenced today for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of a staged automobile accident with a tractor-trailer occurring in New Orleans. Thus far, the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” is thirty-eight (38).

According to documents filed in federal court, WILLIAMS admitted he conspired with Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Mario Solomon (“Solomon”), and Genetta Isreal (“Isreal”) to stage an accident on June 12, 2017, that occurred on Chef Menteur Highway near the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans. Labeaud and WILLIAMS planned to stage an automobile accident to obtain money through fraud. During their planning, Labeaud told WILLIAMS that he had an attorney who would handle everything. WILLIAMS recruited Isreal and another individual (now deceased) to participate in the fraudulent scheme. WILLIAMS then borrowed a Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Labeaud operated the Trailblazer to collide with a 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer. After the staged accident, Labeaud fled the scene and WILLIAMS got behind the wheel to make it appear that he was operating the Trailblazer during the staged accident. Solomon picked up Labeaud after the staged accident. WILLIAMS told the New Orleans Police Department that he was the driver of the Trailblazer and that the tractor-trailer was at fault. After the staged accident, Labeaud introduced WILLIAMS and Isreal to Attorney A.

WILLIAMS and Isreal were treated by doctors and healthcare providers at the direction of Attorney A. Attorney A told WILLIAMS that he would get more money if he had shoulder surgery. On June 12, 2018, Attorney A’s law partner, Attorney B, filed the Larry Williams lawsuit in Civil District Court (“CDC”) for the Parish of Orleans and on September 14, 2018, Attorney B demanded approximately $60,000.00 in settlement for the deceased passenger and approximately $56,155.00 in settlement for Isreal. After the suit was filed, WILLIAMS and Isreal each provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the lawsuit filed by Attorney B.

United States District Judge Eldon Fallon sentenced WILLIAMS to 3 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Additionally, WILLIAMS was ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee and restitution of $28,816.64.  Restitution was imposed jointly and severally with the other co-conspirators.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long.