Former California Agent Arraigned for Allegedly Stealing from Clients

Former licensed insurance agent Laura Lopez, 37, of Long Beach, Calif., was arraigned on one felony count of grand theft after allegedly collecting over $97,000 in insurance premiums from clients and pocketing the premiums.

After receiving a complaint in February 2020, the California Department of Insurance launched an investigation that reportedly showed that between February 2016 and September 2019, Lopez collected and stole insurance premiums provided by clients to purchase insurance coverage.

Lopez also reportedly manipulated the billing cycles on at least 53 insurance policies by changing the due dates in order to extend the policy. She also changed the policy billing address to either her residence or office so she could receive the billing statements instead of her clients.

Lopez’s insurance license expired in September 2009.

Lopez was arraigned on Jan. 27. She is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 18. The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.