Jackson insurance agent gets 9 felony charges

JACKSON, Mo. -- A Jackson insurance agent has been charged with stealing approximately $20,000 in premium payments from her customers and forging policy documents to cover up the theft.

An investigation conducted by the Jackson Police Department and various state agencies resulted in the filing of nine felony charges against Lisa D. Craft, 34, who received a summons to appear in court Aug. 5 on three counts of stealing and six counts of forgery. Her next court appearance is set for Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.

Craft could not be reached at home on Tuesday for comment.

Craft worked as an insurance agent for Dewitt Insurance in Jackson until Sept. 28, 2001, said Randy McConnell, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Insurance.

She resigned when the Missouri Department of Insurance notified her she would lose her license because its investigation revealed fraudulent acts.

Police received complaints from customers, who said she kept money intended for insurance premiums and falsified their insurance documents.

"I had numerous complaints from customers who would send her the premiums, then got cancellation notices saying the premiums never made it in," said Lt. James Humphreys of the Jackson police. "It kind of snowballed from there."

In the course of his investigation, Humphreys said he found:

* The victims' policies were not only canceled, but some were never given coverage at all, even after paying premiums to Craft.

* Insurance certificates, binders and identification cards were allegedly made by Craft at her office and given to clients, even though coverage was never actually obtained.

* There are nearly 40 victims for whom either no policy was ever issued or their policies were canceled because premium payments were not received.

* Other investigations into Craft's activities were conducted by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Division of Worker's Compensation, Missouri Employers and Safeco Corporate Security Office. Results were forwarded to the Missouri Attorney General's Office and the Jackson Police Department.

Humphreys said Craft admitted taking money due to financial problems but that she had intended to pay back the money until her financial burden at home became severe. He said a few civil lawsuits have been filed against Craft.

Currently, Craft is not affiliated with any insurance agency and her license is inactive, McConnell said.

Typically, the state waits until criminal investigations and court actions are complete before pulling an agent's license.

McConnell also said Craft's former customers may still be able to collect on their policies, provided they bought policies while she was still an appointed agent for their insurance carrier.

"If the agent received payment money, then it's as if the company received it, even if the agent misappropriated it," he said. "Misappropriation doesn't affect the company's legal responsibility to the policy holder. The company is responsible for the conduct of the agent they appointed."

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160

n The Missouri Department of Insurance's consumer hot line provides information on whether a company is in good standing in Missouri and the A.M. Best Company's rating on the financial strength of up to three insurers. The number is (800) 726-7390.

The license status of any insurance agency or agent in Missouri can be viewed online at www.insurance.state.mo.us. A link is provided under the heading Hot Topics and allows viewers to search by name and license number.

Missouri residents and those with Missouri insurance policies may file complaints directly with the Missouri Department of Insurance either electronically or through the mail. Complaint forms can be filled out online or downloaded for printing from www.insurance.state.mo.us/consumer/services/complaint.htm.

Printed forms should be mailed to:

Department of Insurance

Wainwright Building, Suite 229

111 N. 7th Street

St. Louis, Mo. 63101-2176

SOURCE: Missouri Department of Insurance