Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia Announces Arrest of Public Adjuster After $703,000 Theft in Hurricane Ian Claims Funds
/2026/cfoscreenshot5.jpg "CFO Ingoglia Announces Arrest of Public Adjuster")
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Today, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced the arrest of public insurance adjuster Francisco Javier Chaparro-Araus, after an alleged theft of over $703,000 in Hurricane Ian claim funds. The arrest was made by investigators within the Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID) after Chaparro-Araus misappropriated funds belonging to 13 homeowners by allegedly forging victims’ names, concealing insurance settlement checks from victims, and refusing to pay victims after being contacted.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said, “Floridians face the devastating consequences of hurricanes each year, but what they absolutely should not have to deal with is criminals attempting to steal from them when they have already lost so much. This criminal thought he could profit from their vulnerability, but the only thing he’s collecting now is a jail sentence. I applaud the work of my investigators for putting Chaparro-Araus behind bars.”
In 2022, when Hurricane Ian made landfall, Chaparro-Araus exploited vulnerable homeowners who sustained property damage. He submitted claims to various insurance carriers on behalf of the victims and was able to deposit the funds into his business account. Chaparro-Araus was able to deplete the money through online transfers, Zelle transfers, wire transfers, check card purchases, and cash withdrawals from casinos.
Francisco Javier Chaparro-Araus was arrested on March 30, 2026. He has been charged with organized fraud, financial exploitation of an elderly person, diversion and misappropriation of a premium, and failure to report and account for funds.
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About the CFO
Florida
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia serves as
the state’s top financial watchdog, a member of the Florida Cabinet, and the
head of the Florida Department of Financial Services. As CFO, he oversees
billions of dollars in state funds and is committed to protecting taxpayer
dollars, strengthening Florida’s fiscal health, and delivering essential
services that support the state’s excellent economy. As State Fire Marshal, CFO
Ingoglia also works every day to support Florida’s first responders as they
risk their lives to serve and protect communities across the state.