Partner in Alleged Embezzlement of Iowa Insurer Indicted

A federal grand jury in Iowa has indicted the partner of an alleged embezzler of $5.9 million from the insurance company Aviva USA.

According to court records made public Nov. 19, Marla Randolph Stevens is charged with conspiring to commit money laundering and three counts of participating in financial transactions with money derived from criminal activity.

Marla Stevens partner, Phyllis Stevens, a 35-year-employee of Aviva and a predecessor insurance company, is accused of creating a computer program that channeled commission payments into a bank account jointly held by her and a companion.

Phyllis Stevens has pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, computer fraud and aggravated identity theft. She remains in custody in the Polk County Jail.

Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com