New Orleans – Two individuals, Ryan “Red” Harris and Jovanna Gardner, have been accused of orchestrating the murder of a client who was cooperating in a federal investigation into an insurance fraud scheme involving over 100 staged truck accidents. The prosecutors alleged that Harris and Gardner, clients of a television stuntwoman-turned-attorney, were involved in the shooting death of Cornelius Garrison, a key witness in the case.
The indictment, unsealed on Monday and revealed on Tuesday, charges Harris and Gardner with witness tampering through murder for the 2020 slaying of Garrison in New Orleans. If convicted, they could face the death penalty for their alleged role in the murder. The investigation sheds light on a widespread insurance fraud scheme that reportedly earned millions of dollars for a network of individuals through staged truck accidents.
Garrison, at the center of the inquiry, was accused of causing numerous staged accidents and cooperating with authorities targeting attorneys and doctors who allegedly profited from fraudulent lawsuits and unnecessary surgeries. Just before Garrison was scheduled to enter a plea deal, he was fatally shot in an apparent execution-style killing. The murder dealt a significant blow to Operation Sideswipe, the code name for the investigation into staged accidents.
Operation Sideswipe led to charges against 52 individuals, with 44 pleading guilty. One of the individuals implicated was attorney Danny Keating, who pleaded guilty in exchange for cooperation. Although two other key figures, Vanessa Motta and Sean Alfortish, were not charged in connection with the murder, they were suspected of involvement in the staged accidents and legal activities related to Garrison.
Harris and Gardner, former clients of Motta, are also facing charges of mail and wire fraud in connection to the staged accident scam. They are currently held without bond pending the outcome of the case. Efforts to reach their attorneys were not immediately successful, and Motta and Alfortish remained unavailable for comment.
The indictment underscores the complex web of fraud and violence surrounding the staged accidents investigation, highlighting the significant consequences of illegal activities within the insurance industry. As the case unfolds, further details may emerge regarding the extent of Harris and Gardner’s alleged involvement in the scheme and the circumstances surrounding Garrison’s tragic death.