Georgia insurance commissioner indicted on fraud charges

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's insurance commissioner faces charges of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.

A 38-count federal indictment was filed Tuesday against Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Jim Beck, who was elected in November.

The charges stem from Beck's time as general manager of operations for the Georgia Underwriting Association, which was created to provide high-risk property insurance to Georgia homeowners. The Republican is accused of devising a scheme to defraud the association of millions of dollars.

Prosecutors say he used the money for personal expenses and to fund personal investment, retirement and savings accounts, as well as his statewide election campaign.

An emailed statement from the insurance commissioner's office says Beck maintains his innocence and that the accusations against him "have no bearing on his service as an elected official to the people of Georgia."