Unlicensed Insurance Agent in California Gets Jail Time for Theft

An unlicensed insurance agent in California has been sentenced in Fresno County Superior Court to 95 days in jail and five years of probation after pleading no contest to grand theft, the state insurance department announced.

The conviction and sentencing of 34 year-old Marlene Pineda arose from an investigation of a consumer complaint received by the Investigation Division of the California Department of Insurance. The complaint alleged that Pineda, who was not a licensed insurance agent, stole $1,107 in insurance premiums from a client.

Investigators discovered that Pineda sold commercial and auto policies to an additional eight consumers, misrepresented their information on insurance applications and misappropriated premium funds for her own personal use.

As a result of her crimes, one victim, a commercial truck driver, suffered an uninsured loss in excess of $15,000. The total amount stolen from all victims was $28,707.12.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s office prosecuted the case. The amount Pineda will be ordered in to pay in restitution will be determined at a later date.

Source: California Department of Insurance