Lumberton Insurance Agent Guilty of Fraud

RALEIGH, N.C., July 23 -- The North Carolina Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the conviction of Robert Gene Killens, 52, of 1005 N. Elm St., Apt. 26, Lumberton. He was found guilty of one count of insurance fraud on July 22 after a one-and-a-half day trial in Robeson County Superior Court.

A Department of Insurance investigation revealed that Killens, at the time a self-employed life, accident and health insurance agent, staged an accident and filed a fraudulent claim with Nationwide Insurance in February 2009. Killens is no longer a licensed insurance agent in North Carolina.

Killens was handed down a suspended six to eight month sentence, 30 months supervised probation and 200 hours of community service. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and court costs.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating claims of insurance fraud. To date in 2010, these criminal investigators have seen more than 165 cases successfully closed with more than $5.8 million in restitution and recoveries, 40 criminal convictions and more than 65 arrests.

An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.com.

TNS hc11-JF78-100724-2927172 StaffFurigay