Wednesday, July 27, 2011
A former Okmulgee insurance agency employee has been charged with embezzlement following an investigation by the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Anti-Fraud Unit.
Investigators say Deneice C. Carter, 28, embezzled funds totaling $960.88 from her employer McManus Insurance Agency of Okmulgee, through a series of smaller fraudulent transactions that took place during June and July 2008.
“This case shows that the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s investigators take insurance crime seriously, even in cases where the amounts stolen from consumers or employers are comparatively small,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak.
Inconsistencies in Carter’s bookkeeping initially were probed by an advanced auditor for Farmers Insurance Group upon receiving complaints from customers. Farmers Insurance cooperated with OID anti-fraud officers to facilitate the investigation that resulted in criminal charges.
OID investigators say Carter did not apply cash payments made by several insureds to those policyholders’ accounts. In other cases, money electronically transferred by one policyholder was applied to the accounts of other policyholders whose cash funds were previously misappropriated.
Randy Brogdon, OID’s Deputy Commissioner of Fraud and Consumer Affairs, applauded both his officers and the insurer for their efforts.
“I commend Farmers Insurance Group for its proactive cooperation throughout the process,” Brogdon said. “With the assistance of honest professionals and companies, the OID Anti-Fraud Unit will continue making progress toward ridding Oklahoma of those in the insurance industry who deal in dishonesty.”
Oklahomans with concerns about their insurance or who suspect fraud are urged to contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Hotline toll-free at (800) 522-0071.
ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
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For more information contact:
Glenn Craven
(405) 522-1769
glenn.craven@oid.ok.gov