A public adjuster has been arrested by special agents in Georgia after allegedly stealing funds from consumers and a contractor and failing to show up for a hearing after two warrants were taken out on him.
According to the Georgia Department of Insurance, Steven Eric Chastain, 58, of Canton, Georgia, is accused of stealing more than $550,000 in claims monies.
In two recent cases, Chastain was hired as a public adjuster to represent a consumer in the handling and repairs related to an insurance claim. In Cobb County, he is accused of taking over $20,000 from the consumer and contractor. In Dougherty County, he is accused of taking over $6,200 from the consumer.
On March 6, 2020, the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office ordered a revocation of Chastain’s public adjuster license. Per Chastain’s request, he was granted a hearing scheduled for May 27, 2020 to dispute the revocation of his license. However, Chastain failed to show up, resulting in his license being immediately revoked.
Before the hearing date, two warrants were taken out on Chastain at two separate venues. On May 13, 2020, a charge of theft by conversion was filed in Dougherty County. Shortly after same charge was brought forth in Cobb County.
Chastain turned himself in to the Cobb County jail on May 27, 2020,, where he was wanted for one count of felony theft by conversion. Prior to turning himself in, Chastain had made arrangements for his $6,000 bond to be immediately posted. However, GADOI said it had active warrants in Dougherty County for a separate felony charge of theft by conversion. On May 29, 2020, Chastain was transferred from Cobb County to the Dougherty County jail. The next day, Chastain posted bond of $2,500 and was released from Dougherty County.
“The citizens of the State of Georgia should rest easy knowing Mr. Chastain is no longer licensed as a public adjuster. To date, our office has arrested Chastain on over $550,000.00 worth of stolen funds from hardworking Georgians,” Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King.
Anyone who believes they could have been a victim of Chastain’s should contact the department at 800-656-2298 immediately.
A felony theft by conversion charge is punishable by imprisonment for one to 10 years.
Source: Georgia Department of Insurance
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