Local man faces 150 felony counts

A man police arrested Wednesday on charges of stealing millions through his self-run insurance company faces more than 150 felony counts, according to prosecutors.

Anthony David Medina, 36, was arrested in Oxnard on suspicion of defrauding 18 business owners of more than $2.5 million they had paid him to take out insurance policies for their businesses, prosecutors said.

Medina is accused of operating Prompt Insurance Agency out of Newport Beach from 2003 to 2006 and taking companies’ money under the pretense he would insure workers compensation and general liability policies for them.

Businesses lost money and workers were not compensated when they were injured because Medina did not get the insurance policies for many, prosecutors said.

Medina’s wife, Vanessa Chaverri, 36, was arrested Wednesday at a Ladera Ranch home and is charged with filing false tax returns — a felony.

Medina faces up to 54 years and four months in prison and was in custody on $2.9 million bail.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].