Ga. Commissioner Revokes License of Stockbridge Agent

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine has issued an order revoking the license of a Stockbridge insurance agent who was allegedly allowing his father to sell policies, though the father had surrendered his license three years ago.

The order is the result of a joint investigation conducted by Commissioner Oxendine’s Fraud Unit and the State Board of Worker’s Compensation Fraud Unit.

Steve Eugene Grant, 109 East Atlanta Road, Stockbridge, is accused of allowing his unlicensed father, Jack Virlyn Grant, to sell policies through the younger Grant’s agency. Both father and son were arrested and charged with one count of insurance fraud and one count of theft by taking each. Other charges are pending.

The order states that the elder Grant marketed and sold commercial property and business liability insurance to three Georgia businesses, using the name and agency of his son. Jack Grant personally received premium payments of $20,504, money he pocketed instead of forwarding it to the proper insurance companies, leaving his customers without coverage.

In December of 2002 Jack Grant pleaded guilty to ten counts of insurance fraud. Grant surrendered his license in January of 2003, and has not been relicensed since. In addition to the revocation order against the son, Oxendine issued a cease and desist order against Jack Grant.

In justifying the revocation, the order also cited Steve Grant’s felony conviction in February 2004 of a single count of “Conspiracy to Defraud the United States,” in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. In that case Grant was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution of $10,000. Oxendine urged anyone who may have had business dealings with either of the suspects to contact his office at 404-656-2070.

Both Grants have ten days to request a hearing.

Source: Georgia Department of Insurance