News: 2009 Press Release

Insurance Commissioner Poizner today announced that San Diego resident, Louise May Batchelor, 55, of San Diego, pled guilty to two felony counts of grand theft on September 4. Sentencing has been set for November 6, 2009 in San Diego Superior Court.

"Insurance agents who play games with their customers' money and trust will ultimately lose," said Commissioner Poizner. "If you decide to break the law, CDI investigative teams will find you and help prosecute you."

According to CDI investigators, Batchelor owned and operated Sunny SoCal Insurance Service and Louise Batchelor Insurance Service in San Diego. Batchelor sold various types of insurance policies, including automobile, property, general liability and workers' compensation to individuals and businesses.

Batchelor previously pled guilty to one felony count of Grand Theft on October 9, 2008. Batchelor was originally arrested in August 2008 and released on bail. The initial complaint alleged Batchelor stole insurance premiums from four business owners and issued bogus insurance certificates. It is estimated that Batchelor received insurance premiums in excess of $8,300 and failed to remit these premiums to the insurance companies.

Batchelor continued to collect premiums from additional victims and failed to place insurance coverage. A new complaint was filed and alleged that Batchelor collected in excess of $20,000 in premiums, including $6,800 she collected while out on bail, from at least four consumers. Because of Batchelor's failure to place coverage, these victims were exposed to extreme financial risk while believing they had insurance.   

In October 2008, after the initial criminal case was filed and Batchelor pled guilty, the Department of Insurance revoked her insurance license. Batchelor was barred from working, in any manner, in the insurance industry.

This case was prosecuted by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.

Commissioner Poizner oversees sixteen CDI Enforcement Branch regional offices throughout the state. Close to 1900 insurance fraud-related arrests have been made by the Department of Insurance's enforcement division since Commissioner Poizner took office in 2007 - more arrests than have been made during any other two year period, under any previous insurance commissioner.