Testimony resumed Wednesday in the trial of Stockton Unified School District Trustee AngelAnn Flores, with prosecutors calling their first witness: Andrew White, a special investigator for Sentry Insurance.
White’s appearance centered on the charge of making false or fraudulent claims stemming from a minor car crash involving Flores in 2022.
Flores, who continues to serve on the Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees, is facing three felony charges following a San Joaquin County grand jury indictment in January. In addition to making false or fraudulent claims, she’s accused of misappropriation of public funds and embezzlement by a public officer related to the alleged misuse of a district-issued credit card.
Flores has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her defense claims she is a victim of political retaliation for her role as a whistleblower who provided the FBI with information about the district’s $7.3 million contract with IAQ Distribution, Inc.
Thus far, the trial and witness testimony have focused heavily on the insurance fraud allegation. Prosecutors began Tuesday’s opening statements by outlining their case for insurance fraud, and Wednesday’s witness testimony centered entirely on that charge.
Testimony of Andrew White
White testified that Flores purchased a six-month insurance policy with Sentry Insurance on Nov. 15, 2022. Three days later, on Nov. 18, a claim was filed related to Flores’ accident and photos were submitted on Nov. 21.
The collision occurred at UPS in Lathrop, Flores’ workplace. She reported to the car insurance company that her Hyundai struck an unoccupied Dodge sedan in the parking lot. Chief Deputy District Attorney Donald Vaughn asserted in his opening statement Tuesday that the collision occurred early on Nov. 15, with Flores purchasing car insurance later that day.
Among photos of the damage submitted to the car insurance company by Flores was a screenshot timestamped “Tuesday at 6:51 a.m.,” which prosecutors say reflects Nov. 15 — several hours before the insurance policy became active at 10:55 a.m.
White testified that the file was referred to him after Sentry Insurance claims adjuster Stacy Maguire raised concerns about the timing of the incident in relation to when the policy took effect.
White interviewed Flores about the matter on Dec. 22, 2022. The prosecution played an audio recording of the interview in the courtroom. In the recording, Flores could be heard telling White that she knew the report “seemed a little odd” because she had only had insurance for three days before reporting the accident. She said she had just gotten a new job and wanted to take care of her insurance and registration.
During cross-examination, the defense pressed White on why he never contacted the driver of the Dodge as part of his investigation. Attorneys also emphasized that Sentry Insurance ultimately approved and paid the $2,010.68 claim, which was cashed by the vehicle’s owner, Keona Morris. They cited the company’s internal policy, which states it does not pay claims it does not owe.
White said he forwarded the case to the California Department of Insurance and the National Insurance Crime Bureau after completing his internal review. He said both agencies sent letters acknowledging his reports and indicated they would reach out if they wanted the file. However, he said he did not communicate with anyone from either agency and was unaware of any action taken in connection with the case.
In February 2024, Lt. Andrew Theodore of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office contacted White to request a copy of the file, about two months after deputies raided Flores’ home, according to emails shown in court by the defense.
Natalie Bowman, one of Flores’ attorneys, noted the request by the sheriff’s office occurred more than a year after White’s reports had been closed.
Testimony of Keona Morris
The prosecution next called Morris to the witness stand.
Morris testified that her then-boyfriend Randy Gaines, who had driven her Dodge to work the day it was struck, called to tell her that someone had hit her car. She said she didn’t submit the claim until a few days later because Gaines “didn’t have all the information” from Flores. She submitted the claim after receiving additional information.
In Tuesday’s opening statements, Vaughn alleged that Flores and Gaines worked together to “set up insurance fraud.” While Gaines is listed as one of the prosecution’s witnesses, the district attorney’s office said he has not been located for more than a year. Morris said she has not heard from him since their breakup around 2023.
During cross-examination, Tori Verber Salazar, Flores’ other attorney, questioned Morris about whether the insurance company asked who was driving the vehicle when she submitted the claim. Morris repeatedly said she couldn’t remember the conversation “because it was years ago.”
Verber Salazar also questioned why Morris didn’t request more money from Sentry Insurance, since the check she cashed didn’t cover the full cost of repairs. Morris said she paid for the remaining repairs out of pocket.
Testimony of Stacy Maguire
The last prosecution witness to take the stand was Maguire, who was the first to flag Flores’ claim and refer it to the insurance company’s special investigations unit.
During Vaughn’s questioning, Maguire pointed out several instances in Flores’ paperwork where she had signed documents affirming her auto insurance began on Nov. 15.
When Vaughn asked Maguire what concerned her about Flores’ claim, she testified, “It was very close to the date the policy was written.”
In cross-examination, Verber Salazar pressed Maguire on why Sentry Insurance chose to pay the claim if it suspected fraud. She asked whether it’s the company’s standard practice to pay out fraudulent claims.
“The answer is no,” Maguire said. “But if we are provided information that leads us to believe things that are false, we may pay them. We rely on people providing accurate information.”
The jury trial is scheduled to continue Friday in San Joaquin County Superior Court.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: 3 witnesses take stand in Day 2 of Stockton Unified Trustee AngelAnn Flores trial
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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