Louisiana Agent Arrested for Alleged Fraud

The Louisiana State Police Fraud Unit arrested a Leesville, La., insurance agent and Department of Insurance Fraud Unit investigators issued the man a Cease and Desist Order and Summary Suspension of his license for allegedly fraudulently obtaining loans from customers’ life insurance policies by forging their names on loan applications.

According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, investigators served Elexson Ellias, Jr., 60, with the C&D order and license suspension at the time he was arrested on charges of insurance fraud. These actions were taken as part of a continuing series of shutdowns of illegal operations in the insurance industry.

The LDI order states that Ellias forged the signatures of customers on life insurance policies in order to obtain the cash loan value of those policies. The cumulative monetary value of the fraudulent loans was approximately $11,800. The order further states that Ellias is prohibited from engaging in any activity relating to the business of insurance, effective immediately.

LDI records show that Ellias held a life and health insurance license from December 1991 until the suspension. He also held a property and casualty (industrial fire) license from November 1994 to May 2003, as well as an Auto Club license from December 1994 until the current suspension.

Listed addresses for Ellias include 222 Pinewood Road, Leesville (residence) and several business addresses on North Pine St. in DeRidder. It is not known whether any of these addresses are current.

“We will continue to investigate fraudulent insurance activities whenever and wherever we find them. Consumers are one of our best sources of information about all types of insurance fraud. I urge consumers who feel uneasy about any insurance-related transactions to call the Fraud Unit here at the Department of Insurance,” Commissioner of Insurance Robert Wooley said. “If callers don’t want their names used, they can request that their involvement be kept confidential.”

Consumers who bought policies or conducted other insurance business with Elexson Ellias, Jr. should check with their insurance company if they have any questions about their policies. If they have trouble reaching the insurance company, they can call the Department of Insurance at (225) 342-4956, or, toll-free statewide, (800) 259-5300, for assistance, Wooley said.