Fla. Removes Pair of Unlicensed Adjusters

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher announced that two more unlicensed adjusters are off the streets in the Ft. Myers area.

James John Tomlinson, 42, and James Stephen Hudgens, 55, both working for Ft. Lauderdale-based Seabreeze Public Adjusters Inc., were arrested on one charge each of working as a public adjuster without a license. If convicted on the third-degree felony, they each could face statutory sentences of up to five years in prison in addition to fines of up to $5,000. They were booked into the Lee County Jail.

“Storm victims must be sure that they are dealing with a legitimate adjuster and verify by calling the department’s storm helpline,” Gallagher said. “It is unfortunate, but disasters bring out the best and the worst in people.”

Investigators tracked Tomlinson and Hudgens by their advertising signs located around neighborhoods in Charlotte County. The signs reportedly read: “Seabreeze Public Adjusters Inc. Charley got you down? Let us handle your claim.” Corporation records reportedly show that Seabreeze was established Aug. 19, six days after Hurricane Charley slammed into Florida’s southwest coast.

Both Tomlinson and Hudgens reportedly had their Florida public adjuster licenses cancelled in December 2002 after their required bonds lapsed.