Louisiana Insurance Agent Arrested for Unfair Trade Practices

January 28, 2011

Troopers with the Lafayette Field Office of the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit recently arrested a Ville Platte insurance agent for unfair trade practices.

In October 2010, troopers received a criminal complaint about 65-year-old Melvin J. Lavergne of Ville Platte, La. The complaint alleged that Lavergne, the owner and agent of Lavergne’s Insurance Agency located in Ville Platte, had failed to send insurance premiums collected from customers to the insurance companies.

The LSP says the investigation revealed that Lavergne failed to submit insurance premiums for four separate customer accounts resulting in seven cancellation notices being issued.

The cancellations affected the customers vehicle registration as well as their driver’s license status with the Office of Motor Vehicles. Based on the investigation troopers were able to obtain a warrant for Lavergne’s arrest.

Lavergne is charged with committing unfair trade practices.

Source: Louisiana State Police