ATTORNEY GENERAL BROWN ANNOUNCES PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY INSURANCE AGENT CHARGED WITH FELONY THEFT AND INSURANCE FRAUD

The following information was released by the Maryland Attorney General:

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that the Grand Jury for Prince George's County handed down an indictment charging Corrie Dewayne Alston, 51, of Bowie, Maryland with felony theft scheme and insurance fraud for submitting multiple fraudulent life insurance applications. The indictment includes one count of a felony theft scheme of $1,500-$25,000 and 21 counts of felony insurance fraud over $300. The investigation was led by the Attorney General's Fraud and Corruption Unit and the Maryland Insurance Administration.

While employed as an information technology specialist for the federal government, Corrie Alston also worked a secondary job as a licensed Maryland insurance agent for the Don Pope Insurance Agency, selling policies for Senior Life Insurance Company. The investigation revealed that Alston submitted 21 applications for fictitious individuals in order to be paid commissions on these fraudulent policies. In an interview with investigators, Alston later admitted that he deliberately chose Hispanic surnames because he believed Senior Life would conclude they were undocumented individuals and not attempt to further verify the Social Security Numbers that he had provided in the applications. In total, it is alleged that Alston stole approximately $5,122 in the form of wrongfully received commission payments from Senior Life Insurance Company based on these fake insurance applications.

"Corrie Alston allegedly submitted dozens of fraudulent insurance applications, deliberately using Hispanic surnames because he believed assumptions about undocumented immigrants would shield him from scrutiny," said Attorney General Brown . "Our Office will not allow insurance agents to employ appalling, cynical schemes that exploit the identities and dignity of vulnerable communities."

"Insurance fraud is a serious crime that undermines consumer trust and drives up costs for honest policyholders," said Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant. "We will continue working with the Office of the Attorney General to investigate and hold accountable those who attempt to profit through deception."

The defendant's case will be heard in Prince George's County Circuit Court.

A criminal indictment is merely an accusation of wrongdoing, and a defendant is presumed innocent until the State proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

In making today's announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Criminal Division, specifically Division Chief Katie Dorian, Fraud and Corruption Unit Chief Alexander Huggins and Assistant Attorney General Michael Palisano, who is prosecuting this case. Attorney General Brown also thanked Maryland Insurance Administration Forensic Auditor Shervonne Thomas and Investigator Dimitri Goodwin for their assistance with this investigation. Finally, Attorney General Brown also thanked State's Attorney for Prince George's County Tara H. Jackson.