A formerly licensed insurance agent was arraigned this week on multiple felony charges involving fraud for duping people to invest in a non-existent marijuana business.
Matthew Evans, 36, of Palmdale, pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges involving fraud, after a California Department of Insurance investigation revealed he allegedly deceived several clients and acquaintances into investing more than $1.8 million in a non-existent marijuana business named “House of Green.”
Evans’s insurance agent license was reportedly revoked earlier this year after he pleaded no contest in a separate case.
The CDI initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint from two victims who claimed they had invested a total of $1.3 million in House of Green, without a return on their investment. According to the victims, Evans refused to update them on their investments and did not provide records for the business. There were no indications that House of Green was operational, according to the CDI.
The investigation also identified 12 additional victims who reportedly experienced similar issues with Evans. Investigators say they discovered that Evans stole a total of $1.8 million from 15 separate victims, all of whom believed they were investing in House of Green. Evans allegedly embezzled the money to finance a lavish lifestyle and promote his public image, as well as his business, Evans Family Consulting Inc.
In an unrelated case also investigated by the CDI in 2024, Evans and his wife both pleaded no contest to seven misdemeanor counts. In that case, they reportedly stole the identities of licensed insurance agents and used them on fraudulent insurance applications to collect commissions. Both had their licenses revoked, and they both received probation and were ordered to pay restitution.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 15. The case is being prosecuted by the White Collar Crime Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
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