Department takes action to protect consumers from Sacramento bail agent and unlicensed business
News: 2023 Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Insurance has issued an Accusation and Orders to Show Cause against bail agent Jose Florentino Espinoza, 47, of Sacramento, and a Statement of Issues against his unlicensed business after an investigation, which began as a result of a consumer compliant. The Department alleges that Espinoza’s business transacted bail without a license and that Espinoza aided and abetted the unlicensed transactions.
Yesterday the Department served Espinoza and his business, Espinoza Bail Bonds, Inc. (EBB) with Orders to Show Cause to Cease and Desist, for an Industry Ban, and for Monetary Penalties for EBB’s unlicensed transactions, and Espinoza’s aiding and abetting an unlicensed entity.
The Department began its investigation after a consumer alleged misrepresentations and misconduct by Espinoza. The investigation found that on at least 29 occasions, from March 2015 to January 2021, EBB initiated lawsuits against its former clients alleging they breached bail bond agreements with EBB. At least one of the lawsuits claimed EBB transacted the bail bond for a client before the business even existed.
Espinoza is a licensed bail agent; however, his business, Espinoza Bail Bonds, Inc., is not now, nor has even been, licensed in the State of California making all the transactions the company made unlawful. The Department reminds the public to always check license status to verify if a person or business is licensed with the Department.
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Media Note:
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
