Second Criminal Complaint Filed Against Placer County Broker

California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi is asking consumers across the state to contact the California Department of Insurance (CDI) if they believe they have been victimized by Roseville insurance broker Mindy Elizabeth Latorre. The 34-year-old Lincoln woman has been charged with 115 additional felonies in a second criminal complaint filed by the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

The charges against Latorre include grand theft of insurance funds, insurance fraud and forgery. It also alleges she collected $151,007.85 in insurance premiums from her clients and diverted those funds for her personal use.

“Insurance consumers trust their brokers and agents to purchase the insurance they pay for,” said Commissioner Garamendi. “In this case, I am concerned that there may policyholders who are not aware that they could be victims of this fraud. Everyone who has purchased a policy from Latorre should contact the CDI Investigation Division and find out.”

Latorre was previously charged on August 11 in a 58 count felony complaint alleging grand theft, forgery, and insurance fraud. It charges that between April 2003 and June 2006, she collected more than $116,000 in insurance premiums from her clients and diverted the funds for her personal use. According to Investigators, the funds were to be used for the placement of commercial general liability, commercial property, workers’ compensation, and commercial automobile insurance. Latorre also allegedly issued fraudulent certificates of insurance to her clients indicating they had legitimate insurance coverage. Latorre has been in jail since her arrest and her bail is currently set at $300,000.

Latorre operated Latorre Insurance Services in Roseville. On August 16, Commissioner Garamendi issued an order suspending Latorre’s insurance license and prohibiting her from participating in any manner in the business of an insurer or insurance production agency.

Persons who believe they are victim are being encouraged to call the CDI Investigation Division at 916-492-3400.

Source: CDI