By Dexter Hinson, Staff Writer
Sunday, September 21, 2008 — Insurance Commissioner Jim Long has announced the arrest of Rodney Turner, 38, and Emily Turner, 53, both of 221 Arey Ave., Albemarle.
Rodney Turner was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of acting as an unlicensed bail bondsmen; he was processed at the Stanly County Magis-trate’s office and given a $500 secured bond.
Emily Turner turned herself into authorities Tuesday and was charged with one count each of discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, careless and reckless driving and discharging a weapon inside city limits. She was released on a written promise to appear in court.
Department investigators allege: Emily Turner, a licensed bail bondsman, and her son, Rodney, were tipped off that one of Emily’s clients — an individual that she had posted bond for — was going to leave town, therefore making her responsible for the entire bond if he didn’t appear in court.
While driving her vehicle, Emily spotted her client on the road. She swerved to force him to stop driving and exited her vehicle. Upon exiting her vehicle, she fired a round at her client’s vehicle.
Rodney Turner was following his mother in his own vehicle, and when her client did not stop, Rodney chased after him.
The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn law enforcement officers to investigate claims of insurance fraud. In 2007, these investigators saw more than 525 cases successfully closed with more than $14.5 million in restitution and recoveries, 53 criminal convictions and 109 arrests.
Before You Start
- Think about how you would pay for routine expenses if you or another income-earning adult in your home were to suffer a disability and stop working?
- Ask your employer whether disability income insurance is offered as an optional workplace benefit.
- If you're an employer, consider offering it as a benefit to attract and retain desired workers.
- If you already own disability income insurance, take a fresh look at the policy to learn about the level of coverage it provides, eligibility requirements, etc.
WASHINGTON, Sept 22, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Personal finance expert Suze Orman featured in PSAs
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today launches a national campaign designed to help consumers learn about the benefits and limitations of deposit insurance. The campaign's public service announcements (PSAs) will feature personal finance expert Suze Orman.
"For 75 years, no one has ever lost a penny of insured deposits," said FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair, "but as with any type of insurance, depositors are responsible for knowing how FDIC coverage works in order to ensure their money is protected. While awareness of the FDIC is high, understanding of deposit insurance is not. We want to encourage people to learn the basics and provide reassurance that, if they are within the coverage limits, their money is 100 percent safe."
The public awareness campaign encourages Americans to visit myFDICinsurance.gov, where they can use EDIE the Estimator, an online tool that provides customized information about their insured accounts. The estimator has been available to the public for a number of years but was simplified and made more accessible as part of this campaign. Those without online access may call toll-free 1-877-ASK-FDIC for assistance.
"No one should ever lose a penny of their deposited money, but Americans need to take the time to look at their accounts to ensure they're covered," said Suze Orman. "I have donated my time to this FDIC campaign because I want everyone to go to EDIE the Estimator and follow the simple steps to make sure their money is 100 percent FDIC protected."
Basic FDIC insurance covers up to $100,000 of deposits per account holder per bank, and up to $250,000 per account holder for deposit retirement accounts. myFDICinsurance.gov provides information about how these limits work.
"We're encouraging consumers to find out if all their money is FDIC protected, and we're providing them the tools to do so," said Chairman Bair.
Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 8,451 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars - insured financial institutions fund its operations.
FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov, by subscription electronically (go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html) and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). PR-83-2008
Diamonds, apparently, are not a man's best friend.
A Franklin Square man who works as a police officer for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been arrested and charged with filing a fraudulent $28,375 insurance claim for a diamond ring he reported missing -- while his fiancee was still wearing the 2.3-carat sparkler.
John Barnett, 40, of Franklin Square was arrested Sept. 12 by Investigator Rosalind Thomas of the New York State Insurance Department's Frauds Bureau, assisted by New York City Police. He was released with no bail.
The insurance department has turned the case over to the Queens district attorney's integrity bureau. An MTA spokesman said Barnett has been suspended without pay.
Forest Hills attorney Michael Dreishpoon, who represents Barnett, said his client entered a not guilty plea when he was arrested.
"I am still investigating the allegations," Dreishpoon said yesterday.
Barnett, a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, bought the diamond for $15,000 in July 2006 from USAA, a San Antonio, Texas, insurance company that provides services for current and former military personnel. Barnett then had the diamond put into a $2,200, 18-karat gold setting and insured it in December 2006 with USAA for $28,375, officials said.
Early in 2007, Barnett reported that he lost the ring while taking it to a jeweler to be cleaned and filed an insurance claim with USAA, officials said.
State insurance spokesman Ron Klug said his department and USAA began investigating the case around the same time. "The insurance company was suspicious because he brought the policy in December 2006 and a short time later, in April 2007, reported it missing," Klug said.
Barnett is charged with insurance fraud, a felony, and could be sentenced to 21/3 to 7 years in prison if convicted.
