November 10, 2023 - SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Department of Insurance has issued an Accusation and Orders to Show Cause against bail agent Jose Florentino Espinoza, 47, of Sacramento, and a Statement of Issues against his unlicensed business after an investigation, which began as a result of a consumer compliant. The Department alleges that Espinoza’s business transacted bail without a license and that Espinoza aided and abetted the unlicensed transactions.

Yesterday the Department served Espinoza and his business, Espinoza Bail Bonds, Inc. (EBB) with Orders to Show Cause to Cease and Desist, for an Industry Ban, and for Monetary Penalties for EBB’s unlicensed transactions, and Espinoza’s aiding and abetting an unlicensed entity.

The Department began its investigation after a consumer alleged misrepresentations and misconduct by Espinoza. The investigation found that on at least 29 occasions, from March 2015 to January 2021, EBB initiated lawsuits against its former clients alleging they breached bail bond agreements with EBB. At least one of the lawsuits claimed EBB transacted the bail bond for a client before the business even existed.

Espinoza is a licensed bail agent; however, his business, Espinoza Bail Bonds, Inc., is not now, nor has even been, licensed in the State of California making all the transactions the company made unlawful. The Department reminds the public to always check license status to verify if a person or business is licensed with the Department.

Source: California Department of Insurance