Seven individuals were taken into custody for staging a car accident in Louisiana. After the staged crash, the individuals filed false insurance claims to obtain compensation for property loss and bodily injury. The crash took place in October 2016, and an investigation into the accident began in August 2018. At that time, authorities received a tip from the Louisiana Department of Insurance regarding the accident that took place at Law Street and Forstall Street in Orleans Parish.
The case was investigated by the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit. Eventually, detectives determined that the accident involving a 2016 GMC Sierra truck and a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu was staged. All of those who were taken into custody were charged with two counts of auto insurance fraud and filing false public records. They were also charged with two counts of injuring public records and criminal damage to property with fraudulent intent.
Committing fraud or other white-collar crimes can result in a variety of penalties. In some cases, it could result in jail or prison time or probation in addition to paying restitution and a fine. It could also result in an individual doing community service or facing other consequences handed down by a judge. However, an individual may avoid some of these penalties by agreeing to a plea deal.
A plea deal could be negotiated that may result in charges being reduced or dropped. That may result in a person paying a smaller fine or being sentenced to probation instead of jail time. While an attorney might recommend such a course of action, it is important to remember that the choice is ultimately up to the defendant.