Former Insurance Agent Allegedly Stole Premiums;

By: James S. Granelli


A former Farmers Insurance agent has been arrested on 24 counts of grand theft stemming from allegations that he pocketed $13,000 in premiums that customers had sent for insurance coverage.
Charles Melvin Conner, 57, was arrested in Long Beach on Wednesday and released later on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 18, when he is expected to enter a plea. He couldn't be reached Thursday for comment.
Conner, who is believed to have lived or worked in Garden Grove when he was hired by Farmers in 1994, is accused of stealing money in 12 accounts, said Deputy Orange County Dist. Atty. William Feccia. The investigation covered two years of activity, he said.
The state Department of Insurance, which investigated the case and turned it over for prosecution, said that customers were misled into believing they had insurance. They received phony insurance certificates, policy numbers and identification cards, the state agency said.

Descriptors: FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP; CONSUMER FRAUD; INSURANCE FRAUD; ARRESTS -- LOS ANGELES COUNTY;

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