Joint Fraud Effort Leads to Arrest of Pair of La. Workers
The Louisiana Insurance Fraud Task Force announced another accomplishment in the fight against insurance fraud with the arrest of two Department of Insurance employees for Public Bribery and Conspiracy to Commit Public Bribery.
In February 2001, the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit received information from the Louisiana Department of Insurance Fraud Unit and the Arkansas Department of Insurance concerning the sale of Louisiana insurance agent licenses. During this investigation, the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit confirmed the original complaint and discovered additional evidence concerning agents illegally obtaining continuing education credits needed for license renewal.
To date, the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit and the Attorney General’s Fraud Prosecution Unit, along with the assistance of Commissioner of Insurance Robert Wooley and the Department of Insurance Fraud Unit, have identified nine individuals who reportedly have illegally purchased licenses to sell insurance in Louisiana. An additional eight legally licensed Louisiana agents have been arrested for their participation in the scheme to obtain licenses and / or continuing education credits.
The Task Force has identified two employees of the Louisiana Department of Insurance Licensing Division who have facilitated the sale of insurance licenses.
According to the Louisiana State Police affidavit, Regina Duncan and Lylia Jackson of Baton Rouge reportedly used their position in the Licensing Division to circumvent the licensing process and issue agent licenses to unqualified individuals for their own personal monetary gain.
The Insurance Fraud Task Force is continuing its efforts to identify the agents who have illegally obtained continuing education credits and have filed documents with the Department of Insurance for license renewal. Once identified, each agent will reportedly be dealt with in an appropriate manner by the Louisiana Insurance Fraud Task Force.