Danny Patrick Keating, Jr., a New Orleans personal injury attorney was indicted today on one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud as part of a wide ranging scheme to stage accidents and collect insurance settlements and payouts.
U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser made the announcement at a press conference outside his Poydras Street office.
In all 31 staged accidents were represented by Keating, with the attorney and clients settling 17 accident lawsuits. A total of 77 clients made as much as $1.5-Mln in settlements with Keating allegedly pocketing $358,000 in attorney fees.
“Mr. Keating was supposed to uphold the law rather than manipulate it to benefit himself and other co-conspirators financially”, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran.
“This indictment is the culmination of an investigation conducted by Special Agents and Intelligence Analysts who worked tirelessly to bring Mr. Keating to justice and is one of many in this case that hopefully will deter others from fraudulently filing false auto and medical insurance claims.”
If convicted Keating faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Mr. Keating has reportedly surrendered his law license.