California Resident Arrested for Grand Theft and Forgery

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) announced the arrest of Andrew John Hulit, 33, of Simi Valley. He was arrested last week at his place of employment, Century List Service in Agoura, by the Department of Insurance’s (CDI) Fraud Division with assistance from the Simi Valley Police Department. Hulit was charged with three felony counts of grand theft and three felony counts of forgery. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail on $100,000 bail.

According to investigators, the Harry W. Gorst Company Inc., an insurance brokerage firm, reported to the CDI’s Investigation Division that their office had received a complaint against Hulit alleging theft. The investigation revealed that from Jan. 21, 1999 through Aug. 1, 2001, Hulit accepted funds intended as insurance premium payments from three different clients prior to appropriating these funds for his own personal use. It was also discovered that Hulit forged his client’s signatures, failed to place coverage, charged excess premium and changed the premium payment terms and the mailing address on one of his client’s policies. Based on the investigation, it was determined that Hulit diverted $13,602.91 in fiduciary funds for his personal use.

On Feb. 9, 2006, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Hulit. This filing stemmed from the investigation conducted by the CDI’s Investigation Division, Valencia regional office. A hearing is set for May 3, 2006. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.