La. Agent Charged with Pocketing Customer Premiums

A Bogalusa, La., insurance agent was arrested and issued a cease and desist order for alleged felony theft and withholding of insurance premiums, the Louisiana Department of Insurance said.

The DOI ordered Patricia Morvant, 51, to stop engaging in the business of insurance and her insurance license was suspended. She had previously been arrested by members of the State Police Fraud Unit and booked into the Washington Parish Jail.

A joint investigation by the Department of Insurance and State Police Fraud Unit Investigators revealed that the policyholder received cash receipts for paying Morvant nearly $2,000 for insurance coverage on her home. Payments were made in January and June of 2005. The insurance company indicates it never received either payment.

DOI records list Morvant as owner, manager and the only licensed agent of Morvant Insurance Agency, 411 Austin Street, Bogalusa; residence address, 72260 Dogwood Road, Abita Springs. She held a property and casualty insurance license from August 1997 until the cease and desist order was issued.

To report suspected insurance fraud, contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance Fraud Unit at (225) 342-4956 or (800) 259-5300. Callers may request that their involvement be kept confidential.