Insurance Agent Arraigned on Felony Charges and Grand Theft

December 5, 2005

An insurance broker-agent has been arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court on two felony counts of financial elder abuse and four felony counts of grand theft following a two-year investigation by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) Investigation Division.

Salvatore Amando Hurdle, 68, of Hawthorne, Calif., was booked into the Los Angeles County Jail Nov. 28 after his arrest by the CDI Fraud Division. If he is convicted of the charges, he could also face special enhancements for the two elder abuse counts, potentially lengthening a prison term. Bail was set at $175,000 for Hurdle, who remains in custody.

According to investigators, from 2001 to 2005 Hurdle, who owns and operates Price Line Insurance Services Inc., collected more than $38,000 in premiums from owners and drivers of commercial trucking companies, yet neglected to place the insurance coverage. The policyholders were at risk of losing approximately $250,000 due to non coverage.

A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 8 in the case, which is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office of Elder Abuse.

According to investigators, Hurdle provided the victims with bogus insurance documents, leading them to believe that they had been insured. Some victims did incur losses resulting from accidents and vehicle vandalism that happened while they were unknowingly uninsured. Hurdle had been operating under a suspended corporate license.