Valleywide : Claims Adjuster Accused of Fraud

A Laguna Hills insurance claims adjuster is suspected of filing phony claims in the names of Northridge earthquake victims and bilking their insurer of nearly $135,000.

The adjuster, 53-year-old Robert Charles Granito, was arrested at his home early Thursday, according to Candysse Miller, spokeswoman for the state Department of Insurance. Granito was held in lieu of $200,000 bail in Orange County Jail on suspicion of 22 counts of insurance fraud, grand theft, embezzlement, money laundering and forgery, Miller said.

The crimes carry a possible 10-year prison term.

The case is thought to be the first of its kind since the Northridge quake in January 1994.

“First it was the contractors everyone was having problems with. Now here we have a problem with a claims adjuster,” Miller said. The case has prompted investigators to take a closer look at the profession, she said.

State insurance fraud inspectors say Granito used his job with 20th Century Insurance to reopen settled insurance claims. Without the policyholders’ knowledge, Granito made up reports of additional damage to their houses, they allege. He then had the new settlements sent to his own post office boxes, inspectors contend.

Although the settlements were made out to the policyholders, Granito was able to cash them by setting up bank accounts using their names and fictitious business names, Miller said. In months following the earthquake, she said, Granito is thought to have filed six phony claims for which he received $134,992. He sought at least another $9,800, Miller said.

Granito was among about 300 independent insurance adjusters 20th Century hired temporarily after the quake, Ric Hill, spokesman for the insurer, said.

Routine audits uncovered problems with Granito’s claims, and prompted the company to tip off state investigators, Miller confirmed.