Public Adjuster Arrested For Ripping Off Fire Victims

Jose Manuel Villa, 60, of San Clemente, a former licensed public adjuster, was arrested today at his home in San Clemente on multiple felony counts of embezzlement, grand theft, and forgery after allegedly cashing claim checks with counterfeit endorsement seals and stealing a total of $400,000 from fire victims in the Los Angeles area. After receiving multiple complaints from consumers, the California Department of Insurance Investigation Division launched an investigation. Evidence revealed Villa, doing business as Statewide Claims Advisors, allegedly cashed and deposited multiple claims checks with counterfeit endorsement seals that were issued by insurance companies to fire victims to repair and rebuild their damaged properties.