Fla. Agents Charged with Issuing Fake Certificates

Two Orlando agents are facing numerous felony charges for allegedly issuing fraudulent workers’ compensation certificates to employers who needed them to apply for business licenses.

Marcia V. Richardson, 40, and Eilean Webb, 45, both of Orlando, were arrested Tuesday on charges of uttering a forged instrument. Richardson, the former owner of Hamilton Insurance Agency at 5265 Alhambra Drive, is charged with 15 counts. Webb, who currently operates E. W. & Associates of Central Florida at 6905 W. Colonial Drive, is charged with five counts.

The department’s Division of Insurance Fraud conducted the investigation and made the arrests. The women face up to five years in prison on each count.

Between November 2002 and January 2003, Richardson issued 15 certificates of insurance, which investigators said contained fraudulent policy limits, incorrect additional insureds, or erroneous addresses. Investigators said Webb issued five fraudulent certificates from March 2003 and July 2003.

The consumers, unaware that they didn’t actually have coverage, presented the fraudulent certificates to the City of Orlando/Vehicle for Hire Section, Greater Orlando Aviation, and Osceola County Board of County Commissioners to obtain permits to operate their businesses. The certificates alleged to provide coverage amounts between $25,000 and $1 million.

Richardson voluntarily surrendered her insurance license in February 2003, and Webb is facing possible administrative action against her agent license.

Editor’s note: Update from the Florida Department of Financial Services – CORRECTION: An earlier version said these arrests stemmed from allegations that these individuals issued fraudulent worker’s compensation certificates. The allegations are that they issued fraudulent certificates of liability insurance.