Advisor Charged With Embezzlement

Feb. 19--A Monroe financial adviser has been charged with embezzling nearly $100,000 from customers between 2008 and 2009, according to a statement from Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin's office.

Ricky Gayland Crocker Sr., of 4013 Parkwood School Road, Monroe, was arrested on Feb. 13 and charged with two counts each of obtaining property by false pretense and embezzlement.

Department of Insurance investigators say that between Oct. 1, 2008, and Jan. 2, 2009, Crocker used his position as a financial adviser for MetLife Insurance Company to embezzle $33,000 from a customer's account.

Investigators also say that on June 15, 2009, Crocker redirected funds from the sale of a stock certificate worth $58,604 into his personal business fund, Carolina Media Marketing Group, without the knowledge or consent of the MetLife customer for whom he sold the certificate.

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