Los Angeles man charged for acting as an insurance agent without a license

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Hector Villarreal Hipolito Sr., 73, of El Monte will appear in court today for transacting business as an insurance agent without a valid license. An investigation by the California Department of Insurance revealed Hipolito allegedly submitted fraudulent insurance transactions and advertised as an insurance agent, although he was never licensed by the department.

Upon discovering Hipolito's fraudulent activity in 2014, the department issued a cease and desist order. Despite the order to cease all illegal insurance transactions, Hipolito continued to act as an insurance agent. He submitted endorsements to insurance companies, obtained quotes for clients and advertised insurance services at his place of business.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged Hipolito with one misdemeanor count of acting as an insurance agent without a valid license.He is scheduled to appear at the El Monte Court on July 15. If convicted, Hipolito faces up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $50,000.