Whitemore Agency Employee Arrested in N.C. for Embezzlement

Tammy Cope of Old Fort, N.C. has been arrested in McDowell County on six charges of embezzlement according to Insurance Commissioner Jim Long.

Department of Insurance investigators allege that Cope collected more than $10,000 in insurance premiums from 30 consumers for her own use, instead of remitting the payments to Nationwide Insurance Co.

Cope worked in a clerical position at Nationwide Insurance, Debbie Whitemore Agency; she is not a licensed insurance agent.

Department investigators received a tip about Cope’s actions from the agency’s owner, and filed charges after reviewing agency records, future charges against Cope may be pending.

Investigators found that no other employees and/or licensed agents were involved, and the victims’ premiums have been restored by the Debbie Whitemore Agency.

“On behalf of the Department of Insurance and our investigators, we would like to thank the Debbie Whitemore Agency for their continuing cooperation in the case,” Commissioner Long said.

Department investigators arrested Cope and delivered her to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Department. She is being held with an $81,000 bond.

Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance