Opinion: California Department of Insurance reaches out after mistaken arrest

To the editor: California Department of Insurance officials attempted to reach Maria Hernandez directly, and then through her attorney, to apologize immediately after learning on July 27 of the mistaken identity and arrest. The department filed a declaration of factual innocence on Aug. 11 to clear her name and arrest record and had begun the work to reimburse her for bail prior to The Times’ article.

(“Wrongfully arrested — because of her name,” Aug. 21)

At present, the department has generated a check and offered it to Hernandez’s attorney in payment for her bail expenses but was not advised of medical expenses until The Times’ article. The department has asked Hernandez’s attorney for these and any other expenses.

To prevent such mistakes in the future, the department is reviewing the events that led to the mistaken arrest, which began with the original suspect providing detectives a false identity. The department’s prompt response was in recognition of the distress this has caused her. We deeply regret the arrest.

Byron Tucker, Los Angeles

The writer is deputy commissioner of the California Department of Insurance.

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