Sherry Coleman pleads guilty to 14 counts

Feb. 22--An insurance agent and wife of a county commissioner pleaded guilty to insurance fraud Friday in Glynn County Superior Court and walked away with a light sentence.

Sherry Coleman repeated the word "guilty" 14 times as Judge David Cavender asked her of her culpability on five counts of insurance fraud, eight counts of violating the reporting and disposition of premium requirements of the Georgia insurance code and one count of failing to account for insurance premiums.

As a result of the plea and her testimony, her husband, Glynn County Commissioner Bob Coleman, will not face a scheduled trial next week.

In a deal worked out by her defense attorney and prosecutors, Sherry Coleman agreed to plead guilty to the 14 counts.

However, the two sides were unable to come to terms on her sentence or her restitution to nine victims.

The plea deal included the assurance prosecutors would drop Count 15 of the indictment accusing her of presenting a false certificate to Crosby Services that showed Myrick Construction had a workers' compensation policy through Liberty Mutual.

Sherry Coleman testified during her sentencing hearing that she suffered from several physical and mental health issues. She said significant stress and anxiety were among the reasons she agreed to sell the insurance business she had with her husband.

She also noted she likely stuck it out with the business longer than was prudent and should've sold it earlier.

Under questioning from Brunswick Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Robert German, Sherry Coleman admitted telling a state insurance investigator that her husband chose not to know what was going on at the business and instead focused his energy on serving as a county commissioner.

Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson said it was this statement and others reflecting limited involvement in the business by Bob Coleman that led her office to choose not to prosecute him.

However, under a civil agreement, Bob Coleman no longer has a state insurance license. If he decides to apply for one in the future, he would be unable to practice in Glynn County until 2023.

Each insurance fraud charge carries a possible sentence of two to 10 years in prison, and the other charges each called for one-year penalties. German asked Judge Cavender for a sentence of five years in prison and 15 years' probation. or a lighter sentence of three years in prison and 17 years probation if Sherry Coleman agreed to restitution demands sought by his office.

Sherry Coleman's attorney countered by asking the judge for a straight probation sentence.

Declining that request, Cavender handed down a softer sentence of 90 to 120 days in a probation detention center, with the balance to be added to five years probation.

The prosecution and defense continue to negotiate the amount of restitution. The defense contends $6,500 is appropriate. Prosecutors were asking for $11,600.

Cavender ordered Sherry Coleman to pay an amount between the two figures.

The final restitution amount will be determined by the two parties or in a restitution hearing at a later date.

Bob Coleman and Sherry Coleman were initially scheduled to go on trial next week.

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