In 2022, following the devastation from Hurricane Ian, a cancer survivor and a widow hired a public adjuster to help them through, not only the disaster, but to take some of the stress off of everything going on in their personal lives.
It is essential to begin this report by informing readers that it is unlawful for a public adjuster to include a “power of attorney” provision in any contract. We’ll get to that later.
Watch report from Michael Paluska
The Florida Division of Insurance Fraud is the lead investigator on the case. According to the probable cause affidavit out of Broward County, Francisco Chaparro is charged with insurance fraud, exploiting the elderly, and grand theft.
He is listed as the registered owner of All Elements Public Adjusters, located in Miramar, Florida, Broward County. ABC Action News is showing Chaparro’s mugshot because investigators tell ABC Action News reporter Michael Paluska they believe there could be more victims.
“This is an open and ongoing investigation. The arrest was made based on an initial victim’s report that a public adjuster failed to forward insurance claim funds,” Devin Galetta, Communications Director with the Florida Department of Financial Services, said in an e-mail to Paluska…