Public Adjuster Sentenced To Prison For Keeping Insurance Payouts

An Orange County public adjuster was sentenced to 10 years in state prison today for pocketing more than $1.2 million from fire victims’ insurance payouts, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced. Jose Villa (dob 3/8/56) of San Clemente pleaded no contest to eight felony counts of diverting construction funds exceeding $2,350, Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Stodel of the White Collar Crime Division said. Villa also admitted to sentencing enhancement allegations of excessive taking of property and aggravated white collar crime. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor immediately sentenced Villa to prison.