Former insurance agent arrested on more fraud charges

Raleigh, N.C. — A former Raleigh insurance agent arrested earlier this month has been arrested again on additional charges in a workers' compensation fraud case.

Mary Grantham Hicks, 58, of 7608 Blaney Franks Road, Apex, was charged Friday with 10 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses after more people reported her to the Department of Insurance after her initial arrest on Aug. 4.

She was out of jail Monday on a $30,000 secured bond.

Insurance investigators said Hicks, who owns Swift Creek Insurance and Realty, 7985 Fayetteville Road, falsified certificates of workers' compensation insurance to area commercial contracting groups, took their money and pocketed it.

They also allege that she conspired with subcontractors to provide false documents to general contractors for subcontractors to secure jobs.

She had already been charged with one count of embezzlement and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses when she was charged Friday.

New evidence also suggests Hicks continued to collect premiums for fraudulent workers' compensation policies after her arrest, the Department of Insurance said.

Hicks, who surrendered her insurance license to the Insurance Commission last year, but continued to own and operate her agency and employed at least one other licensed agent, the Department of Insurance said.

Clients can call 800-546-5664 to check the validity and coverage of their insurance policies.