Palm Desert Insurance Broker Accused of Ripping Off Seniors

An Inland Empire insurance salesman accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from seniors in an annuity-based investment scam is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Riverside.

John Paul Slawinski, 59, of Palm Desert is charged with five counts each of burglary and financial elder abuse, with sentence-enhancing allegations of targeting multiple victims and destroying evidence.

Slawinski was arrested at his home Monday and remains held in lieu of $2 million bail at the downtown Riverside jail.

He is slated to be arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Becky Dugan in the Riverside Hall of Justice at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

The California Department of Insurance investigated the case, identifying five alleged victims, all of whom apparently had dealings with Slawinksi through his business, JPS Insurance Services.

“I find it particularly appalling when people in the position of trust violate that trust and take advantage of vulnerable senior citizens,” said DOI Commissioner Dave Jones. “Consumers should be able to trust their (insurance) agent when making important insurance decisions. Consumers often rely on the advice of their agent; when they are taken advantage of, the result is often devastating.”

Investigators allege Slawinski cajoled the victims into surrendering annuities and other investment products to him, in exchange for his placing the newfound clients in other investment vehicles that promised higher returns.

Instead, the defendant allegedly used the funds for his own purposes, according to the DOI.

Investigators said Slawinski covered up the fraud by drafting and issuing financial statements purporting to show the victims were making money.

Several victims lost their life savings, the DOI said.

Slawinski’s license to sell insurance was revoked on June 13, according to state documents.

Investigators believe others may have been victimized. Anyone who did business with Slawinski or JPS Insurance Services was asked to contact the DOI’s Rancho Cucamonga office at (909) 919-2200.

— City News Service.