Insurance Agent Arraigned on Felony Charges of Financial Elder Abuse and Grand Theft
Insurance agent allegedly collected over $38,000 in premiums without placing insurance coverage, putting victims and businesses at risk of approximately $250,000 in uninsured losses
LOS ANGELES – An insurance broker-agent has been arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court on two felony counts of Financial Elder Abuse and four felony counts of Grand Theft following a two-year investigation by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) Investigation Division.
Salvatore Amando Hurdle, 68, of Hawthorne, was booked into the Los Angeles County Jail November 28 after his arrest by the CDI Fraud Division. If he is convicted of the charges he could also face special enhancements for the two elder abuse counts, potentially lengthening a prison term. Bail was set at $175,000 for Hurdle, who remains in custody.
According to investigators, from 2001 to 2005 Hurdle, who owns and operates Price Line Insurance Services, Inc., collected over $38,000 in premiums from owners and drivers of commercial trucking companies, yet neglected to place the insurance coverage. The policyholders were at risk of losing approximately $250,000 due to non coverage.
“People depend upon the integrity of agents to provide the coverage they promise,” said Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi. “We will continue our efforts to find those who break their promises and stop them before the consequences of this kind of deception devastate unsuspecting policyholders.”
A preliminary hearing is set for December 8 in the case, which is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office of Elder Abuse.
According to investigators, Hurdle provided the victims with bogus insurance documents, leading them to believe that they had been insured. Some victims did incur losses resulting from accidents and vehicle vandalism that happened while they were unknowingly uninsured. Hurdle had been operating under a suspended corporate license.
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Please visit the Department of Insurance Web site at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.HELP. Callers from out of state, please dial 213.897.8921. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.
