Former Oklahoma Insurance Agent Begins Prison Term for Fraud

A Stigler, Okla., woman, a former insurance agent, has begun serving time in prison for insurance-related crimes uncovered earlier this year, the Oklahoma Insurance Department announced.

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak revoked the insurance license of Amanda Jean Burgess on July 15. Burgess was accused by OID anti-fraud investigators of bilking both insurance companies she represented and individual customers. She had operated the Burgess Insurance Agency in Stigler.

Charges against Burgess were filed early in August.

On Oct. 31 in Haskell County District Court, Burgess, 34, waived her right to a trial and pleaded guilty to four felony counts of embezzlement, three misdemeanor counts of embezzlement, two felony counts of perjury and one felony count of falsely impersonating another person to create liability.

She was sentenced to a pair of 10-year prison terms — with all but the first five years suspended — and was remanded to the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. She will face 15 years of probation upon release.

Burgess was also ordered by the court to pay more than $9,100 in fines and court costs, and to make restitution to her victims.

Doak said some of Burgess’ victims were unaware that they had no insurance “after an accident left them with large liabilities and no coverage.”

Amanda Burgess’ husband, Chris Burgess, is charged with one misdemeanor count of obtaining cash or merchandise by bogus check or false pretenses, and one misdemeanor count of issuing security verification without authority. He faces up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine.

The case against Amanda Burgess was filed and prosecuted on behalf of District Attorney Farley Ward by Assistant District Attorney Danita Williams.

Source: Oklahoma Insurance Department