Felony Charges Filed Against Kan. Agent

The Kansas Insurance Department, in cooperation with Sheridan County Attorney Mike Haas and the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, has filed felony charges against a Selden, Kan., insurance agent.

An investigation by the Kansas Insurance Department Fraud Unit led to charges against Stephen C. Carman of Selden. The insurance agent is charged with 10 felony counts, including seven counts of failing to pay over consumers’ insurance premiums to an insurance company, two counts of forgery and one count of theft.

Commissioner Sandy Praeger established the Insurance Fraud Unit in October, 2003. Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline appointed seven attorneys at the Kansas Insurance Department as special assistant attorneys general, giving them expanded authority to prosecute insurance fraud criminals.

The charges against Carman are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Anyone who suspects insurance fraud, either by a consumer or by someone in the insurance industry, is encouraged to report the activity to the Kansas Insurance Department Consumer Hotline at (800) 432-2484.