Orange County DA Prosecutes Adjuster Who Stole Thousands from Clients
Photo: John Schoon
On 01/17/2015, the California Department of Insurance revoked 54-year old John Schoon’s licensing rights and privileges as a public adjuster, but he did not let that stop him from continuing to defraud clients. A month later, his wife obtained a license under which Schoon worked. Clients would later report their contract was always with Mr. Schoon not his wife, although her public adjuster license number was on the paperwork.
When his wife’s license was revoked on 09/12/2016, Schoon went about his business, and at least one time used a former colleague’s public adjuster license number.
Schoon’s intentions with this work was to fund his personal life. He did not provide his clients with proceeds they were owed and would keep them at bay by writing unfounded checks. It was not until clients threatened legal action or filed a claim against his or his wife’s bond that he would pay them, unbeknownst to them, with money belonging to other clients.
Schoon was investigated by the California Department of Insurance and all this came to light. It was also discovered he forged the signature of at least one of his client’s to negotiate checks and counterfeited that client’s mortgage company’s endorsement guarantee stamp.
In all, Schoon intercepted $132,000 of claim funds that should have gone to his clients. Schoon pled guilty to three felony counts of embezzlement and one felony count of forgery. He is sentenced to 180 days in county jail and five years felony probation. Schoon is ordered to pay $52,311 in restitution in addition to the $12,000 he has already paid. Contact with his victims is prohibited as is any involvement in insurance related activities.
