Attorneys Arraigned on Felony Insurance Charges

Charles Kavalaris, 58, of San Jose, Calif. and Rene Fernando, 50, of Danville, were arraigned on a consolidated multiple-count criminal complaint listing Unlawful Insurance Claim Referrals, Grand Theft, Conspiracy, and Money Laundering. The two attorneys surrendered to authorities on Nov. 28, 2002.

Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office filed a complaint alleging that Fernando and Kavalaris violated Insurance Fraud Code Section 750(a), Unlawful Insurance Fraud Referrals, by employing a person to recruit claimants for the law office. The person was paid an alleged $100,000 by the two attorneys for referring an insurance claimant.

Kavalaris and Fernando are out on $170,000 bail.