California State Department of Insurance
Curriculum Board
January ,2017
Elected Chairman of the Curriculum Board
San Francisco Elder Abuse Forensic Center-Member
March, 2016
A Public/Private partnership between the non-profit Institute on Aging and the following City and County of San Francisco Agencies: Department of Aging and Adult Services (Adult Protective Services and the Public Guardian), District Attorney’s Office, City Attorney’s Office and the San Francisco Police Department. The mission of the San Francisco Elder Abuse Forensic Center is to prevent and combat the abuse, neglect and exploitation of elders and dependent adults in San Francisco.
California Department of Insurance
Life And Disability Analyst License
December 30,2015
Successfully completed all requirements to obtain the Life and Disability Analyst license. There are less than 35 Life Analyst licensees in California.
California Department of Insurance/PSI
Subject Matter Expert-Life Agent Test question Review
June 9-10, 2015
Asked by DOI to participate in an Expert focus group. The group reviewed the current question bank for the CA Life Agent exam, to ensure accuracy, currency, and clarity of the questions.
Legal Aid Association of California/
San Mateo County District Attorney
“Fighting Financial Elder Abuse:Law Enforcement’s Role”
April 21, 2015
Along with Tara Heumann,Deputy District attorney for San Mateo County,engaged in a webinar discussion of the role of Law Enforcement in the pursuit of financial predators. The webinar was attended by attorneys,aging experts,APS, consumer advocates,caregivers,fiduciaries,and others.
Institute on Aging
Financial Elder abuse Conference-Presenter
January 23,2015
Presented an overview of how to recognize signs of Elder Financial Abuse, especially by serial commercial financial predators.The conference was attended by MFTs, LCSWs, fiduciaries, APS workers, attorneys, County Social Workers, and healthcare professionals, among others.
State of Washington-Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
June ,2014
Retained as Expert in an elder financial fraud scheme utilizing Reverse Mortgages, a Trust Mill, and annuity sales to vulnerable Seniors.
Sacramento District Attorney Financial Abuse Specialist Team
Presenter
May 15, 2013
Presented an overview of Elder Financial Abuse to the team, including a mock Senior Seminar.
Legal Aid Association of California-Presenter
Model Approaches/Senior Legal Services Providers
May 3, 2013
Participated in a presentation and training on Senior Financial Abuse Awareness. The presentation included a mock Senior Seminar, information on annuities, trust mills; pretext sales of financial products, reverse mortgages, and Long Term Care, followed by a Q&A. Participants received CE credit for their attendance and participation.
San Mateo County District Attorney
Investigative Unit
April 25, 2013
Discussion of potential case and testimony with DA Investigator involving the improper and abusive sale of an annuity to an elder. Preliminary Examination scheduled for October, 2014.
Alameda Public Library
Presentation-“Annuity Scams and Other Schemes”
April 19, 2013
Along with Prescott Cole, Senior Staff Attorney for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, led a presentation and discussion of scams involving unsuitable annuities, Veterans Aid programs, reverse mortgages, and living trusts.
California Senate Business and Professions Committee
Testimony
April 15, 2013
At the request of California Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett, testified in support of SB 272, a bill that would prohibit the use of US Military Emblems in the endorsement of any financial products, goods, or services. The bill was approved by the Committee.
Television Interview
San Francisco, CA
February 18, 2013
Interviewed and participated in a discussion of Elder scams involving pretext trust sales, Veterans Aid scams, and abusive insurance sales on a local television show.
Outreach Presentation
Redding, California
January 25, 2013
Presented an overview of annuity abuse, Senior Seminars, Medi Cal, and Veterans Aid scams to a group of insurance professionals, attorneys, and Seniors. Met privately with insurance professionals to discuss specific cases.
San Diego County District Attorney
Criminal Testimony
December10, 2012
Testified in a Preliminary Criminal Hearing of an individual suspected of Elder Financial Abuse. Qualified as testifying Expert in the areas of annuities and Trust Mills.
Office of Assembly member Michael Feuer
Assembly Bill 1747
September 14, 2012
Consulted in the drafting of AB1747, a bill which requires life insurers to give the insured the right to designate a third party to receive premium notices on policies in danger of lapsing.
State of Oregon Insurance Division-
Long -Term-Care Advisory Meeting
June 25th, 2012
Participant in discussion with State officials comparing and contrasting
Long-Term-Care issues in California and Oregon.
KFBK Radio-“Senior Issues and The Law”
June 3, 2012
Guest on radio show, discussing issues of Elder Financial Abuse as it relates to Life Insurance and Annuities.
Fremont Public Library-Presentation on Annuities
with Alameda County District Attorney
April 24, 2012
Presented a public program on types of annuities, and annuity fraud with Assistant Alameda County District Attorney Alyce Sandbach.
Public/Private Partnerships-California Department of Insurance
March 16, 2012
Participated in a small-group discussion with California Deputy Insurance
Commissioner Patricia Sturdevant and several private litigators to explore options for private/public partnerships in pursuing insurance abuse cases.
Lake County District Attorney-Testimony
September 27, 2011
Testified as Expert in criminal case, People vs. Glenn Neasham, Lake County Superior Court.
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones-
Senior Stakeholder Meeting
September 12, 2011
Invited by the Commissioner’s office to participate in a workgroup focusing on solutions to the abusive sales of annuities and Long Term Care insurance to Seniors. Possible solutions involve both regulatory and Legislative options. The Work group will continue to meet, and to make recommendations to the Commissioner.
Mother Jones Magazine
July/August2011 Issue
Interviewed and quoted in article War and Fleece, an article discussing unethical sales practices by insurance agents targeting Veterans.
San Mateo County District Attorney-Consultant
May 4, 2011
Met with San Mateo County Deputy DA and an Investigator with The Department of Insurance. We examined a case before the DA to determine whether Elder abuse had occurred, and whether the DA should pursue this matter. We also discussed what could be done in the county to create more effective educational outreach for Seniors.
California Department of Insurance Curriculum Board-Appointment
May, 2011
Appointed to the Curriculum Board by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. The Curriculum Board develops and recommends educational standards for both prelicensed and licensed individuals. In addition, the Board oversees existing Continuing Education courses to ensure that they are meet existing curriculum requirements. Reappointed in May, 2014.
Lake and Mendocino County District Attorney Offices-Presenter
May 17, 2011
Participated in a day-long training session hosted by the Mendocino County District attorney. I spoke to the group about predatory agent sales tactics, and participated in a scam “Senior Seminar”.
Senate Insurance Committee-Testimony
April 27, 2011
Testified in front of the California Senate Insurance Committee in support of SB715, legislation that would establish suitability standards and regulation in the sales of annuities to Seniors. The bill passed was approved by the Committee on a unanimous vote.
Napa County Bar Association- Educational Seminar
April 15, 2011
At the request of Napa Bar association, presented an educational overview of insurance and annuities; how they work, and how to recognize abusive sales tactics on the part of predators. It was suggested to the Bar association that I speak by Michael Mautner, Napa County Assistant DA.
Assembly Insurance Committee-Testimony
April 13,2011
Testified in favor of AB689, legislation which enacted landmark protections for seniors in the purchase of annuities.AB 689 became section 10509.910 of the CIC.
Office of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones
March 10, 2011
Met with Michael Martinez, Deputy Commissioner and Legislative Director, to discuss and advise on AB 689, SB 715, ad AB 793, legislation instituting safeguards for persons purchasing annuities, and restricting the cross-selling of annuities and reverse Mortgages.
Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Seniors on the Move, Presenter
December 3, 2010
Invited by Congresswoman Speier and Supervisor Adrienne Tissier to present to a group of 650 seniors advice on how to avoid financial scams. The presentation included a bogus “Senior Seminar,” and a Q&A period. This was the 23rd annual meeting of “Seniors on the Move.”
National Association of Adult Protective Services National Conference, Presenter
November 11, 2010
Presented an informational program on how financial predators are exploiting seniors using the Veterans Aid and Attendance program as a smokescreen. NAPSA is The National organization of Adult Protective Service Workers. This is the first year an entire day has been dedicated to Elder Financial Abuse, an acknowledgement that Elder Financial Abuse is a serious problem.
Department of Insurance Task Force, Participant
November 10, 2010
Presented ideas to insurance Commissioner Poizner about how to more effectively fight Elder Insurance Abuse.
California Department of Insurance Investigative Unit, Trainer
October, 2010
Spent a morning with the investigators from both the Benicia and Sacramento offices, going over annuities, how they work, information about the contracts and ‘terms of art’. Also compared and contrasted different types of annuities, how crediting methods differ, surrender charges and surrender penalties, and the relationship commissions have to the contract.
AARP Bulletin, “Taking Aim at Old Soldiers”
October 1, 2010
Interviewed and quoted in an article outlining the dangers of “prequalifying” for Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits by transferring assets into annuities.
San Diego District Attorney, Criminal Testimony
September 28, 2010
Testified in Preliminary Examination of an individual accused of multiple felony offenses perpetrated against Elders in San Diego County. Suspect was bound over on 22 felony counts. I work with the san Diego County DA on an ongoing basis.
Silicon Valley Council on Aging-Planning Session
August 5, 2010
Participated in a planning session sponsored by the Fair Lending Project for Seniors. The session was to determine the feasibility of creating an additional FAST team in the area.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform-Presenter
July 24, 2010
Presented an overview of a successfully resolved civil case involving annuity and reverse mortgage Elder financial abuse to a small group of civil attorneys, mediators, and advocates.
U.S. Government Accountability Office
July 22, 2010
Participant in a workshop, along with California Advocates for nursing Home Reform and the Fair Lending project of Silicon Valley, addressing the issues of Veterans Aid and Attendance, and the cross-selling of Trusts and Annuities.
Legal Aid for Seniors-Presenter/Panelist
June 18, 2010
Participated in a two-part presentation to a conference of Public and Civil Attorneys,court personnel, and Senior advocates. The first presentation was a scam “Senior Seminar” and deconstruction, the second was an overview of insurance and annuities, along with a Q&A session.
Santa Cruz Bar Association- Presenter
July 6, 2010
Participated in and presented information on Insurance and Annuity abuse of Elders at a meeting of the Bar association.
Stanislaus County District Attorney
June, 2010
Gave a presentation to seniors in Lodi about annuities and what to watch out for, met with DA staff to discuss annuity abuse of Elders and Trust Mill scams.
Santa Clara Public Guardians- Presenter
May 18, 2010
In-service training for Public Guardians in Elder Financial Abuse- I spoke on how to recognize annuity and insurance fraud, and fielded questions from the group.
Court Investigators State Conference
May 4, 2010
Presented an educational seminar on annuity fraud and how to recognize it to the State conference of Court Investigators. Panelist in a Q&A session immediately following the presentation.
Assembly Insurance Committee
April 21, 2010
Testified in support of Assembly Bill 2066 before the Assembly Insurance Committee. Although not passed into law, this Bill became the model for the suitability regulations now being considered in new legislation.
Contra Costa County Court Personnel
April 4, 2010
Educational presentation on insurance and annuity scams to judges, attorneys, and APS workers.
Sacramento County Adult Protective Services-Presenter
March 4, 2010
Presented a mock “Medi-Cal qualification” Seminar and deconstruction to APS staff, followed by a Q&A session.
California Department of Insurance Investigative Unit
March 2010 – Present
Consult and advise investigators for the Department on a variety of insurance agent related issues. I also review Life Insurance and Annuity contracts with the Investigators to help determine if sales are suitable, and if any abuse has occurred.
Assembly Member Dave Jones, Press Conference
February 18, 2010
Spoke at the press conference announcing AB2066, a bill establishing a suitability checklist for annuity sales to Elders, and disallowing certain egregious sales practices in the sale of annuities to Elders. Met with Assembly Member Jones (now California Insurance Commissioner) to discuss the bill.
Santa Clara County Clerks
January 22, 2010
Presented an overview of annuities and how they work, along with a mock “Senior Seminar”, to Court personnel.
John F. Kennedy School of Law Elder Law Clinic
January, 2010
Assist attorneys at the clinic and elder clients with problems related to life insurance and annuity policies.
Napa FAST Team Appointment
November, 2009-Present
Work with an interdisciplinary team of District Attorneys, law enforcement, APS and professionals in assessing and pursuing criminal cases against individuals involved in Elder Financial Abuse. FAST is an acronym for Financial Abuse Specialist Team.
Department of Insurance Senior Task Force, Participant
November, 2009
Present ideas to Insurance Commissioner Poizner about how to more effectively fight Elder Insurance Abuse.
Alameda County District Attorney, Consumer Fraud Division
October, 2009-Present
Work as an Expert Witness and Consultant with the DA on active and potential Criminal cases involving insurance and annuity fraud.
National Consumer Law Center
October, 2009
Interviewed and quoted in the report Subprime Revisited: How Reverse Mortgage Lenders Put Older Homeowners Equity at Risk.
Consumer Reports Magazine
September, 2009
Interviewed and quoted in investigative article, Reversals of Fortune, revealing the practices behind the abusive cross-selling of Reverse Mortgages and Insurance products by unethical Life Insurance Agents. September 2009 issue.
Community Agency Multidisciplinary Elder Team, Roseville, CA -Presenter
June 17, 2009
Spoke to a team of law enforcement officers, attorneys, social workers, Adult Protective Services professionals, and advocates for Elders in Placer County about abusive financial product sales to Elders. Focused on Trust Mill scams and abusive annuity sales.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Statewide Conference, Presenter
June 5-6, 2009
Presenter and panel participant in a case study of an annuity sale resulting in Elder Financial Abuse. Educated participants in what to look for in an abusive annuity sale.
KTRB Radio
April, 2009
Interviewed on radio station KTRB about abusive insurance and annuity sales to Elders.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Elder Financial Abuse Forum. Participant
February, 2009
Presented a study of a successfully resolved Elder Abuse lawsuit to a group of litigating attorneys and mediators.
California Department of Insurance Task Force on Elder Financial Abuse-
Sept., 2008
Testified in front of Commissioner Poizner on matters related to Elder Financial Abuse, and agent behavior. I expressed concern that enforcement efforts against financial predators were largely ineffective.
Testimony-California State Senate
July 8, 2008
Testified before the Senate Finance and Insurance Committee in opposition toAB2464 and AB2465, legislation that would relax or eliminate disclosure requirements for Life and Annuity policies sold in California.
Legal Assistance for Seniors, Presenter
May 5-6, 2008
Presented an overview of senior financial abuse issues in the life and annuity industry to a conference of Elder Law attorneys, medical professionals, social workers, and senior advocates.
Other Professional Activities
I also consult with public and nonprofit entities on an ongoing basis. I assist in the development of resources for individuals and facilities to help prevent Elder Financial Abuse. I have completed a set of on-line videos explaining annuities to Seniors. I have also assisted in the development of guidelines for consumers to help prevent abusive insurance and annuity sales, and for assisted living facilities to help screen potential presenters to their Seniors.
