Adjuster, Accomplices Arrested for Fraud

A Fullerton insurance claims adjuster and two accomplices were arrested April 8 by California Department of Insurance fraud investigators for their alleged participation in an auto insurance fraud scheme.

According to investigators, Leonardo Davinci Hines was employed by Robert Moreno Insurance Services in Fullerton, California between Dec. 20, 2001 and Jan. 15, 2003. Hines has been charged with eight felony counts of grand theft and five counts of insurance fraud.

Fredrick Jerome Hines, the brother of Leonardo, has been charged with five counts of grand theft, and Joslynn Brown has been charged with one count of grand theft and insurance fraud. The case is being prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney Office.

Leonardo Hines was allegedly involved in a scheme to introduce “stuffed” passengers into vehicle accidents for which he was administering the claims. CDI Fraud Division was notified that Hines was issuing unauthorized bodily injury settlement checks. Leonardo Hines allegedly issued 13 checks, totaling $54,477, for the settlement of bodily injury claims to claimants that were not involved in the automobile collisions.

Investigators found that from eight claim files, Leonardo Hines authorized checks payable to Fredrick Jerome, Gerome Fredrick, Jerome Hines, and Joslynn Brown. None of these individuals were involved in any of these eight separate automobile collisions.

Investigators say Fredrick Hines deposited into his personal bank account a total of $29,978 from seven different checks. These seven checks were allegedly made payable to various aliases used by Fredrick Hines. Fredrick Hines also allegedly purchased bicycles at City of Bicycles in Inglewood with a check issued by Leonardo Hines to City of Bicycles in the amount of $1,500.

Joslynn Brown was an alleged claimant involved in an automobile collision that occurred on July 17, 2002. A check in the amount of $5,140 was deposited into her personal checking account. Shortly thereafter, Brown allegedly issued a check to Hines for half of the amount deposited.

Investigators also allege Brown and Leonardo Hines submitted false medical reports to substantiate a bodily injury claim.