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A refrigerator helped convict agent Tracy White of stealing client premiums without buying them coverage. One of the Hot Springs, Ark.-area clients was a moving company owned by Joe Carver. He thought his firm had coverage when a refrigerator damaged a customer’s floor during a move. First he was surprised that he had a $2,000 deductible, then even more surprised that his supposed policy didn’t exist. White’s attorney said Carver didn’t have coverage because his premium checks kept bouncing. But Carver convinced the jury that he paid cash when checks bounced, and that White gave him a partial refund after Carver confronted him about his lack of coverage. White was convicted and must pay out $40,000. No word on potential jail sentence. … Continue Reading

On March 5, 2012, Richard Shade pled guilty in Erie County to one count of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received. Shade operated an insurance agency known as Shade Insurance (a/k/a Cornerstone Insurance) and continued to do so after his insurance license was revoked in November, 2007. An investigation revealed that on various dates after Shade lost his license, he received more than $7,000.00 from three clients for the purchase of various types of insurance. … Continue Reading

Richard Pyke, 45, the former director of a southern Indiana funeral home pleaded guilty in April to stealing and scamming victims at their most vulnerable times. He faces several years in jail and tens of thousands of dollars in payments to his many victims.

Pyke is already serving a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to insurance fraud in FloydCounty. That sentence could get a lot longer because of charges still pending against him in Clark County. … Continue Reading

Richard Pyke, 45, the former director of a southern Indiana funeral home pleaded guilty in April to stealing and scamming victims at their most vulnerable times. He faces several years in jail and tens of thousands of dollars in payments to his many victims.

Pyke is already serving a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to insurance fraud in Floyd … Continue Reading

Michael A. Cox, of Powell, Ohio committed theft when he continued to accept insurance premiums from past clients after his license was revoked by the Department of Insurance on July 23, 2009. His clients believed that they had insurance coverage since they were making payments to Cox, but there was no actual policy in place. Cox used the funds for his personal use. … Continue Reading