Two charged in connection with insurance fraud

March 02--DAWSON -- A Terrell County businessman and his girlfriend were arrested Tuesday on charges of insurance fraud and forgery, according to a new release by the State Board of Workers Compensation's Enforcement Division.

Agency spokespersons said criminal warrants were issued in Dougherty, Lee and Terrell counties against Lamar Bryant, 53, owner of Bryant Tree Service in Dawson; and 47-year-old Jennifer Ann Lemons.

The release states that Bryant is charged with two felony counts of insurance fraud, one felony count of forgery in the first degree and one count of failing to provide workers' compensation insurance for his employees. Lemons is charged with one felony count of insurance fraud.

The investigation alleges that Bryant and Lemons conspired in 2014 to give false and misleading information to an insurance agent for the purpose of purchasing workers' compensation, and that Lemons claimed to be the owner of Bryant Tree Service with no employees.

The Enforcement Division's investigation also alleges that upon the expiration of the insurance policy Lemons obtained, Bryant subsequently altered and presented the bogus Declaration Page to a general contractor in an attempt to conceal the fact that Bryant was uninsured.

According to the release, investigators suspect Brant has defrauded insurance companies out of more than $100,000 in workers compensation premiums.

The State Board of Workers' Compensations urges contractors and homeowners in the southwest Georgia area who have received a certificate of workers' compensation insurance coverage from Lamar Bryant, dba Bryant Tree Service, to verify the coverage at the State Board's website at www.sbwe.georgia.gov.

If coverage can't be verified, contact the State Board of Workers' Compensation's Enforcement Division at (404) 657-7285 or (800) 533-0682. All other lines of insurance coverage, including home or general liability should be verified with the insurance carrier.

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