Education
Goddard College, Plainfield, VT, 1970-1971
U.C. Riverside, 1971-1974, Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts (with honors)
Employment
2004-present
Neil Granger Insurance Services, Oakland, CA
Private insurance practice focusing on providing litigation consulting services in connection with insurance company and agent liability. I work with both public and private attorneys in the area of elder financial abuse. My work centers around agent and company behavior, and how unethical agents manipulate Seniors into purchasing damaging and abusive life insurance and annuity products. I also do outreach and educational training to attorneys, adult protective service workers, elder advocates, financial professionals, seniors, and the public in the area of elder financial abuse.
2001-2004
Neil Granger Insurance Services, Walnut Creek, CA
Private production specializing in life, disability and annuity products. Independent agent; General Agent with Ohio national Life. Concentrating on both local and national insurance sales. Assisted in developing a national online format to provide consumer access to insurance products and information over the Internet. Sales partner with ChoiceQuote Insurance Services, a national life insurance agency.
1999-2001
SelectQuote Insurance Services, San Francisco
Insurance provider with major national independent insurance agency, selling insurance on a nationwide basis. Licensed in 44 states.
Group leader specializing in impaired risk underwriting and senior insurance products with a national life insurance sales agency. Was tasked with supervising a four-person team, working exclusively with customers over the age of 65, and with customers with complex medical conditions. Authorized to use products not available to the general sales force at SelectQuote due to specialized nature of the client base. Was responsible for training my Team in issues and products dedicated to our specific clientele.
Participated in a week-long Advanced Underwriting Training program at the invitation of the United of Omaha Insurance Company, in Omaha, Nebraska. The training program consisted of workshops and case studies of complex medical cases, and underwriting treatment of these cases.
1997-99
Neil Granger, Insurance Services, Walnut Creek, CA
Life insurance, disability and long term care producer in private practice. General agent with Ohio National Life, certified by California Partnership for Long Term Care. Presented overviews on group and individual health insurance, employee benefit programs, and planning, including key-person life and disability, group health insurance, cross-purchase and stock redemption plans, and Business Overhead coverage to several professional organizations in the Bay Area. Worked in conjunction with CPAs, TPAs and estate planning attorneys to set up and fund individual and business insurance plans, such as non-deferred employee compensation plans, Section 125 plans, charitable remainder trusts and revocable trusts. Maintained life, disability and annuity practice as independent broker.
1984-1997
Brast-Bellig Financial & Insurance Services, San Ramon, CA
Independent life, annuity and disability insurance agent. Worked in a General Agent setting, selling Life, Health and disability insurance products.
Experience
Mother Jones Magazine July/August2011 Issue
Interviewed and quoted in article War and Fleece, an article discussing unethical sales practices by insurance agents targeting Veterans.
Lake County District Attorney- Consultant and Expert 
July,2011
Work with the DA on an ongoing basis in criminal cases of Elder Financial Abuse in the area of Insurance and Annuity fraud.
San Mateo County District Attorney-Consultant May 4, 2011
Met with San Mateo County Deputy DA and an Investigator with The Department of Insurance. We examined a case before the DA to determine whether Elder abuse had occurred, and whether the DA should pursue this matter. We also discussed what could be done in the county to create more effective educational outreach for Seniors.
Department of Insurance Curriculum Board-Appointment May,2011
Appointed to the Curriculum Board by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. The Curriculum Board develops and recommends educational standards for both prelicensed and licensed individuals. In addition, the Board oversees existing Continuing Education courses to ensure that they are meet existing curriculum requirements.
Lake and Mendocino County District Attorneys Office-Presenter May 17,2011
Participated in a day-long training session hosted by the Mendocino County District attorney. I spoke to the group about predatory agent sales tactics, and participated in a scam “Senior Seminar”.
Senate Insurance Committee-Testimony April 27, 2011
Testified in front of the California Senate Insurance Committee in support of SB715, legislation that would establish suitability standards and regulation in the sales of annuities to Seniors. The bill passed was approved by the Committee on a unanimous vote.
Napa County Bar Association- Educational Seminar April 15,2011
At the request of Napa Bar association, presented an educational overview of insurance and annuities; how they work, and how to recognize abusive sales tactics on the part of predators. It was suggested to the Bar association that I speak by Michael Mautner, Napa County Assistant DA.
Office of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones March 10, 2011
Met with Michael Martinez, Deputy Commissioner and Legislative Director, to discuss and advise on AB 689, SB 715, ad AB 793, legislation instituting safeguards for persons purchasing annuities, and restricting the cross-selling of annuities and reverse Mortgages.
Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Seniors on the Move, Presenter December 3, 2010
Invited by Congresswoman Speier and Supervisor Adrienne Tissier to present to a group of 650 seniors advice on how to avoid financial scams. The presentation included a bogus “Senior Seminar,” and a Q&A period. This was the 23rd annual meeting of “Seniors on the Move.”
National Association of Adult Protective Services November 11, 2010
National Conference, Presenter
Presented an informational program on how financial predators are exploiting seniors using the Veterans Aid and Attendance program as a smokescreen. NAPSA is The National organization of Adult Protective Service Workers. This is the first year an entire day has been dedicated to Elder Financial Abuse, an acknowledgement that Elder Financial Abuse is a serious problem.
Department of insurance Task Force, Participant November 10, 2010
Presented ideas to insurance Commissioner Poizner about how to more effectively fight Elder Insurance Abuse.
California Department of Insurance Investigative Unit, Trainer October, 2010
Spent a morning with the investigators from both the Benicia and Sacramento offices, going over annuities, how they work, information about the contracts and ‘terms of art’. Also compared and contrasted different types of annuities, how crediting methods differ, surrender charges and surrender penalties, and the relationship commissions have to the contract.
AARP Bulletin, “Taking Aim at Old Soldiers” October 1, 2010
Interviewed and quoted in an article outlining the dangers of “prequalifying” for Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits by transferring assets into annuities.
San Diego District Attorney, Criminal Testimony September 28,2010
Testified in Preliminary Examination of an individual accused of multiple felony offenses perpetrated against Elders in San Diego County. Suspect was bound over on 22 felony counts.I work with the san Diego County DA on an ongoing basis.
Silicon Valley Council on Aging-Planning Session August5,2010
Participated in a planning session sponsored by the Fair Lending Project for Seniors. The session was to determine the feasibility of creating an additional FAST team in the area.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform-Presenter July24,2010
Presented an overview of a successfully resolved civil case involving annuity and reverse mortgage Elder financial abuse to a small group of civil attorneys, mediators, and advocates.
U.S. Government Accountability Office July 22,2010
Participant in a workshop, along with California Advocates for nursing Home Reform and the Fair Lending project of Silicon Valley, addressing the issues of Veterans Aid and Attendance, and the cross-selling of Trusts and Annuities.
Legal Aid for Seniors-Presenter/Panelist June 18, 2010
Participated in a two-part presentation to a conference of Public and Civil Attorneys, court personnel, and Senior advocates. The first presentation was a scam “Senior Seminar” and deconstruction, the second was an overview of insurance and annuities, along with a Q&A session.
Santa Cruz Bar association- Presenter July 6,2010
Participated in and presented information on Insurance and Annuity abuse of Elders at a meeting of the Bar association.
Stanislaus County District Attorney June, 2010
Gave a presentation to seniors in Lodi about annuities and what to watch out for, met with DA staff to discuss annuity abuse of Elders and Trust Mill scams.
Santa Clara Public Guardians- Presenter May 18,2010
In-service training for Public Guardians in Elder Financial Abuse- I spoke on how to recognize annuity and insurance fraud, and fielded questions from the group.
Court Investigators State Conference May 4, 2010
Presented an educational seminar on annuity fraud and how to recognize it to the State conference of Court Investigators. Panelist in a Q&A session immediately following the presentation.
Assembly Insurance Committee April 21, 2010
Testified in support of Assembly Bill 2066 before the Assembly Insurance Committee. Although not passed into law, this Bill became the model for the suitability regulations now being considered in new legislation.
Contra Costa County Court Personnel April 4, 2010
Educational presentation on insurance and annuity scams to judges, attorneys, and APS workers.
Sacramento County Adult Protective Services-Presenter March 4,2010
Presented a mock “Medi-Cal qualification” Seminar and deconstruction to APS staff, followed by a Q&A session.
California Department of Insurance Investigative Unit March 2010 – Present
Consult and advise investigators for the Department on a variety of insurance agent related issues. I also review Life Insurance and Annuity contracts with the Investigators to help determine if sales are suitable, and if any abuse has occurred.
Assembly Member Dave Jones, Press Conference February 18, 2010
Spoke at the press conference announcing AB2066, a bill establishing a suitability checklist for annuity sales to Elders, and disallowing certain egregious sales practices in the sale of annuities to Elders. Met with Assembly Member Jones (now California Insurance Commissioner) to discuss the bill.
Santa Clara County Clerks January 22, 2010
Presented an overview of annuities and how they work, along with a mock “Senior Seminar”, to Court personnel.
John F. Kennedy School of Law Elder Law Clinic January, 2010
Assist attorneys at the clinic and elder clients with problems related to life insurance and annuity policies.
Napa FAST Team Novenber,2009-Present
Work with an interdisciplinary team of District Attorneys, law enforcement, APS and professionals in assessing and pursuing criminal cases against individuals involved in Elder Financial Abuse. FAST is an acronym for Financial Abuse Specialist Team.
Department of Insurance Senior Task Force, Participant November, 2009
Present ideas to Insurance Commissioner Poizner about how to more effectively fight Elder Insurance Abuse.
Alameda County District Attorney, Consumer Fraud Division October, 2009-Present
Work as an Expert Witness and Consultant with the DA on active and potential Criminal cases involving insurance and annuity fraud.
National Consumer Law Center October ,2009 Interviewed and quoted in the report Subprime Revisited: How Reverse Mortgage Lenders Put Older Homeowners Equity at Risk.
Consumer Reports Magazine September, 2009
Interviewed and quoted in investigative article, Reversals of Fortune, revealing the practices behind the abusive cross-selling of Reverse Mortgages and Insurance products by unethical Life Insurance Agents. September 2009 issue.
Community Agency Multidisciplinary Elder Team, Roseville, CA June 17,2009
Presenter
Spoke to a team of law enforcement officers, attorneys, social workers, Adult Protective Services professionals, and advocates for Elders in Placer County about abusive financial product sales to Elders. Focused on Trust Mill scams and abusive annuity sales.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) June 5-6,2009
Statewide Conference, Presenter
Presenter and panel participant in a case study of an annuity sale resulting in Elder Financial Abuse. Educated participants in what to look for in an abusive annuity sale.
KTRB Radio April, 2009
Interviewed on radio station KTRB about abusive insurance and annuity sales to Elders.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) February ,2009
Elder Financial Abuse Forum. Participant
Presented a study of a successfully resolved Elder Abuse lawsuit to a group of litigating attorneys and mediators.
California Department of Insurance Task Force on Elder Financial Abuse- Sept.,2008
Testified in front of Commissioner Poizner on matters related to Elder Financial Abuse, and agent behavior. I expressed concern that enforcement efforts against financial predators were largely ineffective.
Testimony-California State Senate July 8,2008
Testified before the Senate Finance and Insurance Committee in opposition toAB2464 and AB2465, legislation tha would relax or eliminate disclosure requirements for Life and Annuity policies sold in California.
Legal Assistance for Seniors, Presenter May 5-6,2008
Presented an overview of senior financial abuse issues in the life and annuity industry to a conference of Elder Law attorneys, medical professionals, social workers, and senior advocates.
Other Professional Activities
I also consult with CANHR and other public and nonprofit entities on an ongoing basis. I assist in the development of resources for individuals and facilities to help prevent Elder Financial Abuse. I have completed a set of on-line videos explaining annuities to Seniors. I have also assisted in the development of guidelines for consumers to help prevent abusive insurance and annuity sales, and for assisted living facilities to help screen potential presenters to their Seniors.
