San Antonio Adjuster Pleads No Contest to Felony Theft of Insurance Payments

The Texas Department of Insurance reported that a licensed insurance adjuster, Jennifer Marez, 35, of San Antonio has pleaded no contest to a second-degree felony of theft of $100,000 to $200,000.

As a condition of the plea agreement filed in Bexar County 187th District Court, Marez faces up to 10 years in prison and is required to permanently surrender her insurance adjuster license.

While employed as a licensed adjuster, Marez allegedly approved 19 payments to herself from the accounts of 18 unknowing claimants.

Two of the payments were cancelled prior to issuance, but the remaining 17 payments totaling $157,727 were routed directly into her personal bank account. In order to avoid scrutiny by her employer, Marez issued the payments in the names of her son and husband, according to TDI.

Marez’s employer discovered the theft and reported it to law enforcement. The Texas Department of Insurance Fraud Unit conducted the criminal investigation of the case.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 23, 2013.

Source: TDI