Atlanta, GA – Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens recently announced that a former insurance agent has been arrested for allegedly committing insurance fraud and forgery. Brian Nichols, 52, of Roswell, Ga., turned himself in to Fulton County authorities last night on one count of insurance fraud and one count of forgery. Nichols allegedly took money intended to purchase workers compensation insurance for Salas Drywall of Marietta and converted it for his own personal use.
An investigation by Commissioner Hudgens’ Fraud Unit revealed that Nichols failed to place coverage with an insurer and knowingly prepared a fraudulent Certificate of Insurance, leading Asiel Salas, owner of Salas Drywall to believe that he had workers compensation coverage for his employees. An employee of Salas’ subsequently was injured while on the job, which resulted in $7,386.75 in medical bills.
Commissioner Hudgens urges consumers who may have recently conducted business with this former insurance agent to contact the insurance company listed on their policy to be sure they have the coverage they paid for. If there is any doubt about your coverage, please call Hudgens’ Consumer Services Division at 800-656-2298. Phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Nichols has not been a licensed insurance agent in Georgia since 2010. Insurance fraud is a felony with a penalty of two to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Source: GA Insurance Commissioner