SAN FRANCISCO—On November 9, two licensed insurance brokers, Christopher Ramos, 38, from Santa Rose, CA, and Jay Trisko, 36, of Rohnert Park, CA surrendered to outstanding arrest warrants after an extensive investigation by the California Department of Insurance, confirmed San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón.
The duo have been indicted for embezzlement charges. Ramos is charged with 24 felonies, including grand theft, conspiracy to defraud, theft of insurance premiums by a fiduciary, and forgery. Trisko is charged with 26 felonies, including grand theft, conspiracy to defraud, theft of insurance premiums by a fiduciary, and forgery.
Both defendants, who operated cSolutions Insurance Brokerage LLC in San Francisco, appeared in court on November 10, and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“These licensed insurance brokers allegedly abused the responsibilities they owe their clients,” said District Attorney George Gascón. “Their victims thought they had policies covering potential losses, but the premiums they were paying were being pocketed.”
According to a San Francisco District Attorney press release, the complaint against the defendants alleges “the aggravated white collar crime enhancement allegation where the crimes involve a loss of more than $500,000.”
Working as licensed insurance brokers between September 2010 and December 2012, the defendants allegedly collected premium payments from victims to pay for various insurance policies and would not forward their payments to the insurance carriers, or would only pay a portion of the policy, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the policy for non-payment.
Trisko then started Trisko Insurance Services LLC (TIS) and left cSolutions. He was also charged with committing similar acts of theft at TIS.
Complaints were made to the Alameda District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Insurance, who conducted interviews with multiple victims and insurance company representatives. The Department of Insurance also examined records belonging to cSolutions and TIS. Investigators Leanne Borden and Kristen Schriber conducted the investigation.
Bail has been set at $550,000, and a preliminary hearing will take place on November 23.
Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Matt Beltramo and San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Conrad del Rosario are prosecuting the case.
