Miramar insurance adjuster charged with stealing $610,000 from hurricane victims
A Miramar public adjuster already facing prosecution in a similar case was arrested again last week, this time accused of diverting more than $610,000 in insurance settlement money meant for homeowners whose properties were damaged by Hurricane Ian.
Following an investigation by the Florida Department of Financial Services, which reviewed complaints from several policyholders, police arrested Francisco Javier Chaparro-Araus, 46, who operated All Elements Public Adjusters in Miramar.
Chaparro-Araus was booked March 30 into the Broward County Jail and charged with fraud, grand theft and misappropriation of funds.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Chaparro-Araus deposited insurance settlement checks paid by insurers to homeowners into a Bank of America business account he controlled and failed to distribute the money to the homeowners.
“Although the settlement checks were deposited into a Bank of America business account solely controlled by the defendant, he unlawfully withheld and failed to remit a total of $611,473.39 in insurance settlement proceeds owed to [10] separate policyholders,” the affidavit states.
Investigators say Chaparro-Araus spent the money through online transfers, debit card purchases and “substantial cash withdrawals” while gambling at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood and Calder Casinos in Miami Gardens, according to the affidavit.
State records show Chaparro-Araus, who resides in Miramar, had his Florida public adjuster license suspended in 2015 and again in 2024. His company is no longer licensed, according to Florida Department of Financial Services records.
Investigators said Chaparro-Araus began soliciting claims in 2022 after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Southwest Florida. He targeted homeowners who had sustained storm damage. It’s unclear where the damaged homes were located, but Hurricane Ian strongly impacted Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach.
Authorities say Chaparro-Araus signed contracts with several homeowners agreeing to take no more than 10% of their insurance payments as his fee.
The latest arrest is not the first time Chaparro-Araus has faced similar allegations.
In July 2024, state investigators arrested him on charges stemming from a complaint by American Traditions Insurance Co.
In that case, the insurer issued checks totaling about $130,000. Investigators said Chaparro-Araus sent the homeowner a $30,000 check that was later returned for insufficient funds.
Authorities said much of that insurance payment was also spent at the same casinos in 2023.
A trial in that initial case is scheduled for June.
This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 4:26 PM.
