Man Acting As Adjuster Sentenced for Stealing Over $100K from Homeowners

In a recent court ruling in Gwinnett County, Stephen E. Chastain, a 62-year-old man from Canton, has faced the consequences of exploiting homeowners at their most vulnerable. Chastain, who had positioned himself as the insurance adjuster for a Gwinnett County couple following a devastating house fire in 2019, was convicted for his illicit actions that deprived the couple of their rightful insurance settlement. It was initially agreed that Chastain would receive a 15% fee from the settlement. However, he betrayed their trust by funneling their insurance money to Homesmart Services, a restoration company he secretly owned.

The Gwinnett County District Attorney revealed that the company, under the guise of home restoration, barely contributed any significant work towards rebuilding the couple’s home. Moreover, the entirety of the insurance settlement, amounting to $108,000, never reached the homeowners. Chastain’s deceitful practices led to his conviction on two counts of theft by conversion and four counts of theft by deception. The court’s decision includes a three-year prison sentence, with a restitution hearing for the victims scheduled for a future date. This case highlights the critical importance of transparency and integrity in the insurance and home restoration industries.