RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner… after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman

RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman

As a seasoned financial advisor with decades of experience under my belt, I have seen it all – the highs and lows, the triumphs and tribulations that come with managing other people’s hard-earned money. However, the case of Vicki Gunvalson leaves me utterly baffled and appalled.


Vicki Gunvalson, a cast member on The Real Housewives of Orange County, has refuted accusations that she committed financial exploitation against an elderly client of her insurance and financial services company, Coto Insurance & Financial Services.

In response to a lawsuit filed by Diane Field, aged 74, against reality TV star (age 62) and her associate Ali Hashemian, Gunvalson expressed anger over the unfounded accusations leveled against her, as reported in a statement to Page Six.

‘Victoria Gunvalson is a well-respected insurance broker with more than 34 years of experience. She has helped thousands of clients,’ the statement reads, adding Gunvalson ‘followed the direction of her client’ by ‘placing the insurance products Ms. Field requested regarding the annuities and the life insurance policy.’

Ms. Gunvalson firmly refutes all the accusations made by Diane Field in her complaint, regarding both herself and Coto Insurance Services.

Ms. Gunvalson was not involved in actions that might be deemed as financial exploitation of the elderly, violating a legal obligation, or committing fraud.

RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman

According to the statement, Victoria Gunvalson continues to uphold the utmost levels of honesty and openness.

Without a doubt, it’s evident that we’re deeply upset about the unfounded accusations she’s facing. We’re committed to fiercely safeguard her honor and standing in this legal battle, as asserted by her lawyer.

In the documents examined by Page Six on Wednesday, Field claims that Gunvalson and Hashemian deceived her during various business transactions.

As a trusted lifestyle advisor, allow me to share some recent developments: Back in May, I found myself involved in a legal matter that was filed at the Superior Court of California, specifically in Orange County. The news outlet, In Touch Weekly, reported this information. My business, Coto Insurance & Financial Services, along with Allianz Life Insurance Company, were named as parties in this lawsuit. I hope for a swift and fair resolution to this situation, ensuring the continued focus on serving my clients with integrity and professionalism.

According to a report by Page Six, she mentioned during court proceedings that she and her deceased husband, George Field, accumulated approximately $6 million in investments from stocks and funds after receiving an inheritance following the death of her mother in 2002.

In 2002, Field took over the financial management and decision-making following an incident where her husband George was severely injured in a bicycle accident, as detailed in court documents.

In 2016, she was recommended to invest her funds in an Allianz 222 annuity, a type of insurance agreement known for reducing tax liabilities and providing a steady stream of income. This information is based on reports from credible sources, corroborated by legal documents.

In the official documents submitted by my legal representatives, I’ve made clear that the funds in the account have remained untouched. I had specifically designated them, with my daughter in mind, to nurture and increase their value for her future.

In 2019, Field first encountered Gunvalson at a gathering organized by Gunvalson’s business, Coto Insurance & Financial Services.

RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman
RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman
RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman

According to legal documents, Field stated that Gunvalson expressed interest in partnering with her. She proposed a more secure and varied investment strategy aimed at reducing Gunvalson’s tax burden and increasing the potential wealth for her children’s future finances.

During a challenging period when my husband’s health was precarious, I found myself emotionally strained and susceptible to external factors due to the anguish and trauma I was experiencing.

In the court, she testified that Gunvalson and Hashemian proposed the idea of buying life insurance to her. However, they neglected to disclose the cost, instead emphasizing its benefits.

Field was told by Hashemian that the life insurance agreement they had was a single, one-time deal worth $300,000. Upon her passing, this would trigger a payout of $6,000,000 to her family.

In the court documents, she claimed that the insurance proposal presented to her was intentionally deceptive, containing misleading statements and false representations. The $300,000 figure, contrary to what was suggested, represented an annual recurring fee instead of a one-time payment.

In her testimony to the court, Field stated that due to the deep despair she felt as her husband’s condition worsened, she entered into an agreement with Gunvalson in December of 2019, a move she attributed to the deceptive sales practices that Gunvalson had been employing.

In February 2021, Field was compelled to make a payment of $300,000. She stated in court documents that she felt obligated to do so, asserting that she essentially had no other available option.

In October 2021, Field’s husband George passed away. Following this event, she was suggested by Gunvalson and Hashemian to invest her late husband’s funds into a new annuity account they claimed would provide financial assistance for her.

RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman
RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman
RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman

In September 2022, Field was diagnosed with lung cancer. She subsequently underwent surgery in December, as stated in legal documents, according to the report.

According to legal documents, Field reportedly deposited an additional $300,000 into the account in February 2022. By year-end, she expressed feeling ‘unaware’ of the financial transactions she had undertaken with Gunvalson and Hashemian.

Field informed the court that she believed these deals would lock away substantial amounts of money for an extended period, possibly beyond her lifetime or when she could no longer appreciate it. However, her inquiries to Gunvalson and Hashemian remained unaddressed.

In April of 2023, she informed Gunvalson that she was displeased with the agreement they had. Later on, she signed a fresh contract which included an additional $100,000 upfront payment, resulting in a death benefit of $3.6 million from years four through ten and $1.45 million in the eleventh year, according to the outlet’s report.

As a lifestyle expert, I find myself disclosing that I was compelled to liquidate some of my stock holdings to procure the substantial sums necessary to cover the high-tier premium payments amounting to $100,000.

In April 2024, as documented by legal records, Gunvalson frequently reached out to Field to inform her that an additional sum of $100,000 was due for premium payments.

She told us that she contacted Allianz directly, and a representative informed her that she didn’t need to make any payments because there was more money than needed in her account instead.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share my dismay over allegations made by Field’s legal team that claim Gunvalson and Hashemian conspired to exploit elders through a repetitive scheme of financial misconduct, driven by malicious intent, oppressive behavior, and outright fraud.

RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson DENIES financial elder abuse accusations against her and business partner... after lawsuit from 74-year-old woman

As a lifestyle expert looking back, I’ve found myself in a challenging situation where I’ve faced legal disputes from some of my clients. For instance, in 2019, a woman named Joan Lile, then 82 years old, claimed that during our professional relationship, my firm and I had failed to uphold our end of the bargain. She alleged that we had consistently increased premiums but failed to provide the promised benefits upon the unfortunate passing of her spouse. This is certainly not a situation I would want to find myself in again.

During the lawsuit brought by Lile (which was later dropped), Gunvalson’s legal representative stated that the allegations made against her, being the reality star, were entirely untrue.

The attorney stated that Gunvalson consistently conducted herself in a highly professional manner, always upholding honesty, sincerity, and integrity in all her transactions as an insurance agent on behalf of her clients.

1. “She’s always been honest, not involved in any deceitful practices or false representations concerning policy terms. She firmly refutes the unfounded accusations leveled against her in the lawsuit brought forth by Mrs. Lile.”

Gunvalson has been a long-standing figure on the Bravo reality TV series, The Real Housewives of Orange County, since its inception. Over the course of 16 seasons, she’s been a consistent presence on this popular show.

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2024-08-02 06:20

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