The California Department of Insurance filed a First Amended Accusation and Statement of Issues on May 2, 2025, against Respondents Aleksandr Yefim Guldshtadt (aka Alex Gold or Alex Guld), Nationwide Insurance Claim Advocates Inc. (NICA), and Evghenia Gajiu.

The case, File No. LA202000454, alleges multiple violations of the California Insurance Code related to their activities as public insurance adjusters, including fraud, misrepresentation, conflicts of interest, and failure to comply with licensing and fiduciary duties. The Department seeks to revoke Guldshtadt’s and NICA’s licenses, deny Gajiu’s license application, impose penalties, and issue a cease-and-desist order for unfair or deceptive practices. Key Parties include:

– – Aleksandr Yefim Guldshtadt: Licensed public adjuster (License No. 2M52183, issued August 23, 2018) who also used aliases Alex Gold and Alex Guld. Associated with NICA and held ownership interests in related contractor entities.
– – Nationwide Insurance Claim Advocates Inc. (NICA): Licensed public adjuster entity (License No. 6000268, issued December 18, 2019), with Guldshtadt as a key figure and Gajiu as CEO, president, and director.
– – Evghenia Gajiu: Guldshtadt’s spouse and NICA’s CEO, who applied for a public adjuster license on March 20, 2024, but failed to meet requirements (application pending).
– – Related Entities: WD Contractor Services Company, Master Plumber Company (dba Calmaster Restoration), and Evolve Construction & Restoration, all linked to Guldshtadt and used in alleged misconduct.

The Department alleges that between 2020 and 2025, Respondents engaged in widespread misconduct, primarily targeting vulnerable clients, including Spanish-speaking individuals and seniors (over 65), in violation of multiple Insurance Code sections. Key allegations include:

– – Respondents used misrepresentations to solicit contracts, such as promising free repairs or exaggerated claim payouts (e.g., Victims S.D., J.G./M.G., S.H.).
– – Guldshtadt and NICA filed false claims, forged signatures, and submitted inflated or fabricated estimates (e.g., Victims R.H., L.W., N.I.).
– – They misled clients about claim statuses, denying approvals or withholding settlement funds (e.g., Victims M.M., F.O., D.S.).
– – Guldshtadt held financial interests in contractor firms (WD Contractor Services, Calmaster Restoration, Evolve Construction) that were recommended or engaged for claims NICA adjusted, violating Insurance Code §15028(b).
– – These firms often failed to complete repairs, leaving clients with damaged homes and financial losses (e.g., Victims J.G./M.G., E.J., J.D.H./J.H.).
– – Unlicensed agents (e.g., Viktor Skleruk, Morgan Nunez, Jorge Chavez) solicited clients, filed claims, and conducted adjuster activities without licenses, with Respondents’ knowledge or permission, violating Insurance Code §§15027(i), 15028(e).
– – Gajiu, as NICA’s CEO, failed to supervise these activities, aiding violations (Insurance Code §1668(n), (o)).
– – Respondents failed to use approved contracts, provide contracts in clients’ primary language (e.g., Spanish), or deliver original contracts and cancellation notices (Insurance Code §15027(a), (l), (s), (t)).
– – They withheld fiduciary funds, failed to deposit them in escrow, or did not provide required statements (Insurance Code §15028.7(b), (c)).
– – Guldshtadt refused to release clients from contracts or refund payments despite misrepresentations (Insurance Code §15027(m)).
– – Respondents engaged in deceptive advertising and solicitations, including unsolicited contacts outside permitted hours (Insurance Code §15027(e)).
– – They violated duties of honesty and fair dealing, particularly with seniors (Insurance Code §785(a)), and used unapproved fictitious names (Insurance Code §§14042, 15031).
– – Guldshtadt and NICA failed to notify the Department of disciplinary actions in Colorado (2024) and Utah (2024), violating Insurance Code §1729.2.

The document details 15 victim cases (e.g., S.D., J.G./M.G., S.H., R.H., E.J., M.M., D.M., F.O., F.S., D.S., H.S., J.D.H./J.H., N.V., L.W., N.I.), illustrating patterns of misconduct. Spanish-speaking clients (e.g., E.J., F.O.) were misled into signing English contracts under false pretenses. Seniors (e.g., J.G., R.H., N.V., L.W.) were exploited with deceptive promises. Clients suffered financial losses due to incomplete repairs, withheld funds, or fraudulent claims (e.g., F.O. lost settlement funds; J.D.H./J.H. paid out-of-pocket for storage).

The Respondents were Ordered to Show Cause why the penalties and other relief proposed by the Commissioner should not be imposed.