LONG BEACH, CA — Department of Insurance detectives arrested insurance agent Gelinda Phann Keo, 43, on one felony count of grand theft after she allegedly pocketed a client’s insurance payment of $5,500, leaving that client’s business uninsured.
“This agent allegedly stole money from a hardworking business owner, leaving them uninsured and financially vulnerable,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “My Department will continue to investigate agents who use their position of trust to take advantage of their clients and bring them to justice.”
The Department of Insurance found Keo, doing business as Global Cargo Insurance Agency, collected $5,500 in premium payment for a cargo policy for a client’s business that included international bonds. The client was notified customs could not verify the bonds, which caused delays in shipments. The insurance policy Keo secured had been cancelled due to non-payment of premium leaving the business without insurance coverage for months. The client paid an additional $5,500 to the insurance company in order to obtain a valid insurance policy.
