Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Dec. 21, 2020:
Four more plead guilty in staged accident fraud scheme near New Orleans
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced four individuals entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit mail fraud for their involvement in a staged crash scheme against truck drivers, fleets and insurance companies. The particular crash for the four individuals occurred on Oct. 13, 2015.
According to the guilty plea, Anthony Robinson, Audrey Harris, Jerry Schaffer and Keishira Robinson intentionally collided with a tractor-trailer in the area of Alvar Street and France Road in New Orleans.
Roderick Hickman, who pled guilty previously, was driving the vehicle and allegedly intentionally struck a C.R. England-owned truck. He was then picked up from the collision site by Damian Labeaud, who also previously pled guilty. After the accident, Anthony Robinson, who had been in Labeaud’s vehicle, then got behind the wheel of the crashed car to make it look like he had been driving at the time of the crash. He then falsely reported to the New Orleans Police Department that he had been driving and the tractor-trailer struck his car.
According to court documents, all four defendants were referred to an attorney who paid Labeaud for staging this accident and others. All defendants were treated by doctors at the discretion of their attorneys, and Anothony Robinson, Harris and Schaffer underwent surgeries.
In total, in July 2019, the victim trucking and insurance company paid out approximately $4.7 million for fraudulent claims associated with the staged crash, the U.S. attorney says.
Top 250 fleet increasing driver pay
Crete Carrier and Shaffer Trucking (CCJ Top 250, No. 29) announced its drivers will receive their third pay increase in the last three months, which brings starting pay on national fleets to 54-60 cents per practical mile.
