Released: March 31, 2005

A Lake Charles insurance agent (producer) was arrested and issued a cease and desist order and summary suspension of his license on charges of submitting fraudulent damage repair claims and pocketing the payments.

Department of Insurance Fraud Unit investigators, accompanied by members of the State Police Insurance Fraud Unit, served James O. Jarnagin, 49, with the cease and desist order and summary suspension on charges of insurance fraud. This action was taken as part of a continuing series of shutdowns of illegal operations in the insurance industry, Insurance Commissioner Wooley said.

The Department of Insurance cease and desist order/summary suspension states that Jarnagin obtained blank invoices from a contractor and submitted bogus invoices in association with an otherwise legitimate property damage claim. The cumulative monetary value of the fraudulent claims for damages was more than $8,000. The order further states that Jarnagin is prohibited from engaging in any activity relating to the business of insurance, effective immediately.

Department of Insurance records show that Jarnagin held a property and casualty insurance license from December 1992 until today's suspension. He also held a life and health license from January 1999 until it expired for failure to renew in May 2000.

Jarnagin's address is listed with the Department of Insurance as 409 East Jefferson, Lake Charles.

Consumers who have bought policies or conducted other insurance business with Jarnagin should check with their insurance company if they have any questions about their policies or claims they have made. If they have trouble reaching the insurance company, they can call the Department of Insurance at (225) 342-4956, or, toll-free statewide, 1-800-259-5300, for assistance, Wooley said.

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