Allegedly stole nearly $50,000 in insurance premiums, leaving business without coverage
ORANGE, Calif. – Former insurance agent Marc Leigh Miles, 71, formerly of Irvine and currently residing in Eagle, Idaho, was arraigned last week on nine felony counts of grand theft, insurance fraud, and forgery after allegedly stealing over $48,500 in his client’s insurance premiums and a fraudulent claim deductible. Miles fled the state when criminal charges were filed against him, but returned for his arraignment.
The California Department of Insurance began an investigation after a specialty medical provider from San Diego, who was a client of Miles’, made a claim on their policy after a water leak. When they contacted Miles about the claim, he illegally claimed that he had authority to adjust the claim and billed the company a $5,000 deductible, which they paid. He then contested the repair costs and prolonged the illegal claim process. The specialty medical provider eventually learned that Miles also failed to remit $40,500 in medical malpractice insurance premium payments they had previously given to him as their insurance agent, and their policy had been cancelled.
The investigation revealed Miles told the medical malpractice insurance company the specialty medical provider was not renewing their policy. He also cancelled his client’s business insurance policy and told the insurance company they were going out of business. Both insurance companies confirmed Miles did not submit any premiums for renewal of the policies and he had no authority to adjust or settle claims on their behalf.
In order to cancel one of the policies, Miles forged the client’s signature on a notice to the insurance company and to cover his actions he provided a fraudulent medical malpractice policy to his client. Further investigation confirmed Miles negotiated the premium and deductible payments through his business bank account and kept the funds for his own benefit.
Miles voluntarily surrendered his license and agreed to a lifetime ban from applying or holding a California insurance license, but he fled the state when criminal charges were filed against him in November 2020. The Department was eventually able to convince him to return to California where he was arraigned on the felony charges and released on $50,000 bail.
This case is being prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Source: California Department of Insurance
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