Raleigh, N.C. — A former Raleigh insurance agent was arrested Monday on charges that she allegedly pocketed money from false workers' compensation policies.
Mary Grantham Hicks, also known as Mary Linda Hicks, owner of Swift Creek Insurance and Realty, 7985 Fayetteville Road, was charged with one count of embezzlement and one count of obtaining property under false pretenses. Further charges are pending.
Chrissy Pearson, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Insurance, said Hicks falsified certificates of workers' compensation insurance to area commercial contracting groups.
"Basically, we believe that some construction companies came in to purchase workers' compensation insurance," Pearson said. "She took their money, told them they had insurance, but in reality, she pocketed the money, and they don't have insurance."
In at least one case, Hicks allegedly took payment from a client but failed to remit that payment to the insurance company, Pearson said.
That company notified the Department of Insurance after two employees were injured and were not covered.
Hicks, 58, of 7608 Blaney Franks Road, surrendered her insurance license to the Insurance Commission last year, but continued to own and operate the agency and employed at least one other licensed agent, Pearson said.
Investigators believe she continued to sell the policies to local commercial construction contractors and subcontractors. They also allege that she conspired with subcontractors to provide false documents to general contractors in order for the subcontractors to secure jobs.
Department examiners began an audit of the agency immediately after a search Monday by investigators.
Clients can call 800-546-5664 to check the validity and coverage of their insurance policies.
Former Raleigh insurance agent charged with fraud
- Reporter: Stacey Cameron
- Photographer: Chad Flowers
- Web Editor: Kelly Gardner
Copyright 2009 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
28 Comments
-
- Family: Missing Rocky Mount woman was friends with women found dead
Updated 27 minutes ago |
- N.C. Guard, families mourn deaths of four in Iraq
Updated at 6:21 p.m. |
- Governor considers safe boating legislation
Updated at 6:31 p.m. |
- Dunn police officer is also part-time movie producer
Updated 27 minutes ago |
- Ladies also take center stage in 'Jersey Boys'
Updated at 7:03 p.m. |
- Family: Missing Rocky Mount woman was friends with women found dead
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- 2009 Miss North Carolina and Outstanding Teen
Jun. 28, 2009 - Summer Fun 2009
Updated at 8:35 a.m. - William Wise's Raleigh home and St. Vincent villa
Jun. 8, 2009
- 2009 Miss North Carolina and Outstanding Teen
top-voted stories
(19 votes) palin resigning as alaska governor
(12 votes) military: four n.c. soldiers killed in iraq
(6 votes) raleigh mayor urges people to shop local
-
Michael Jackson (1958-2009)The life and death of Michael Jackson in video and photos.
-
A year of N.C. Drought MapsView a time lapse animation of drought conditions during the last year.
-
'Antiques Roadshow' in RaleighThe "Antiques Roadshow" taped Saturday, June 27, 2009, at the Raleigh Convention Center, where over 5,000 ticket holders lined up to learn what…
-
The week in entertainmentA look at the top entertainment stories this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.
-
The week in photosA look at the top news, politics and business stories this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.




STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS


Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.