ames Evans of Jackson received numerous late notices and several policy cancellations in 2006 despite being current on his car insurance premiums.

The culprit, according to Jackson County prosecutors, was his insurance agent, Kenneth Powers.

Dozens of local motorists reported they were left without insurance or overpaid on premiums. Eleven former clients and a former employee testified Friday at Powers'' preliminary hearing.

He is charged with five felonies, including insurance fraud, embezzlement and false insurance certification.

Assistant Prosecutor Everett Perry alleges Powers, who owned Powers Insurance Agency on North Street, accepted payments for insurance policies and did not forward all of the money to Progressive Insurance Co.

"Another four or five insurance companies were involved, but only Progressive did the stand-up thing and covered most of the more than $100,000 Powers shorted them on policies," Perry said. "Progressive even covered claims where clients could prove they paid him."


Added on: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:35 pm by : mega