S. California Agent Sentenced in Workers’ Comp Theft Case

Randy Jay Barrett, 41, of Canoga Park was sentenced to 240 days in jail and five years probation after pleading guilty to one count of felony grand theft. Barrett was also ordered to make restitution to his victim and a hearing will be held Jan. 11, 2010 to determine that amount.

A California Department of Insurance (CDI) investigation determined that between April 2002 and May 2006 Barrett collected insurance premiums totaling $160,491 for workers’ compensation, liability and property coverage from his client, the manager of a card club located in Ventura. Barrett placed a portion of the coverage and refunded some of the monies, but left his client without workers’ compensation insurance for the entire period. Barrett failed to refund $36,401.

The client, who had a friendship with Barrett, was unaware of the lack of coverage because Barrett reassured him that everything was in order. When the client went to another agency to purchase workers’ compensation insurance, he learned he had not been covered and filed a complaint directly with CDI.

The case was referred to the Ventura County District Attorney in May of 2008, and after further investigation by the District Attorney’s office and CDI, the criminal case was filed against Barrett on April 15, 2009, charging him with one count of grand theft by embezzlement. On May 6, 2009, due to the seriousness of the charges against him, CDI ordered Barrett from participating in the insurance business and his license has been revoked.

Latest Comments

• December 8, 2009 at 3:27 am

  SFOInsurance Lady says:

  How in the world do these people think they are able to get away with something like this? It never ceases to amaze me....stupid is as stupid does.
• December 8, 2009 at 11:35 am

  Fraud in Insurance? says:

  Maybe the IJ should publish a regular column (it could have been monthly, but now it would have to be weekly or even daily) entitled "Disgraces to our Industry" so we can more... read more