Ga. Agent in Hot Water; Reportedly Defrauded Clients

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine announced that a Dalton, Ga., insurance agent was arrested for allegedly defrauding his clients, mostly local business owners.

As a result of a grand jury indictment, Joseph Mann Ford IV, 41, has been arrested and charged with 14 counts of insurance fraud. His agency, Insurance Services Inc. of Dalton, is located at 221 West Crawford Street, Dalton. The agency is currently closed.

The investigation into Ford’s agency and business practices had been conducted over the past year, according to Oxendine. Ford is alleged to have defrauded at least $200,000 from his clients. The investigation is continuing.

“If you’ve had business dealings with this individual, you can call our Consumer Services Division at 800-656-2298 to find out if your coverage is valid,” Oxendine said. “We want to hear from anyone who’s had problems with a policy they bought from Ford.”