Former licensed OC agent arrested on felony fraud and ID theft charges
News: 2018 Press Release
IRVINE, Calif. — Marcus David Johnson II, 29, of Irvine, was charged with ten felony counts, including identity theft, grand theft, forgery, and computer fraud. Johnson II allegedly submitted more than 100 fraudulent insurance policies using stolen and fictitious identities, in order to scam insurers out of thousands in commissions he did not earn.
“Johnson’s alleged crimes are an example of why insurance fraud is not a victimless crime,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “Johnson took advantage of people who trusted him, including his family and friends, to line his pockets with ill-gotten gains.”
While holding a valid insurance agent license, Johnson II created 36 fraudulent policyholders by stealing the identities of friends and acquaintances in order to write group health benefit policies under his parents’ business name, Global Entertainment. The fraud was discovered when a friend of Johnson II was contacted by the insurance company revealing there were multiple policies issued to him. He immediately notified the company he had never enrolled for any of the policies, which led the insurer to refer the case to the Department of Insurance for investigation.
Johnson II has been released on bail. Johnson II is due to be arraigned on November 14, 2018. This case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
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Media Notes:
- Johnson II is not currently a licensed agent. His license was issued in June 2013 and expired in 2015—he did not renew his license. Marcus David Johnson II expired license number is 0I39894.
- Charges include:
- five felony counts of Identity Theft, PC 530.5(a)
- three felony counts of Forgery, PC 470(a)
- one felony count of Grand Theft, PC 487(a) & 473(a)
- one felony count of Computer Fraud, PC 502(c)(1)
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.
