Friday, August 12, 2011

Doak Nails Stigler Woman, Husband

From Commissioner Doak's Office ~ Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak has revoked a Stigler woman’s license to sell insurance, and the agent and her husband have been charged with crimes including the embezzlement of more than $37,000 from insurance companies and $576 from policyholders.

Amanda Jean Burgess, 34, operated the Burgess Insurance Agency in Stigler until her license was revoked by Commissioner Doak on July 15.

Mrs. Burgess faces three felony counts of embezzlement, two felony counts of perjury and three misdemeanor counts of embezzlement, carrying a maximum penalty of 53 years in prison and a $53,000 fine. She was arrested this week and jailed in Haskell County on a $20,000 bond.

Her husband is Chris Burgess, 28. He is charged with one misdemeanor count of obtaining cash or merchandise by bogus check or false pretenses, and one misdemeanor count of issuing security verification without authority. He faces up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine. Mr. Burgess is free from Haskell County Jail on $1,000 bond.

“The case was developed by OID’s Anti-Fraud Unit investigators, and charges were filed in Stigler on befall of Haskell County District Attorney Farley Ward, by Assistant D.A. Danita Williams,” said Deputy Commissioner Randy Brogdon.

Doak applauded the work of local prosecutors: “I commend the district attorney’s office for acting quickly and decisively with the evidence our investigators have presented in this case,” Doak said. “Through cooperation with local authorities, the OID Anti-Fraud Unit will continue bringing Oklahoma’s insurance criminals to justice.”

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