Released: April 26, 2007

A Mansfield insurance agent has been arrested and issued a cease and desist order and summary suspension of her licenses today for allegedly misappropriating insurance premiums.

Billye Jo Winkler, 35, was served by Department of Insurance Fraud Section Investigators with an order to cease and desist from engaging in the business of insurance and a summary suspension of her licenses today at the De Soto Parish Detention Center in Mansfield. She was also arrested by the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit and booked on charges of felony theft.

Winkler is alleged to have collected over $3,700 in premiums, which she did not remit to the insurance company.

Department records show that Winkler held a property and casualty license from January 1993 until May 1997 under the name Billye Jo Sims. She was then issued a property & casualty license in October 2000 under the name Billye Jo Winkler, which was current until today's action.

Commissioner Donelon urges consumers who have any questions regarding policies Winkler sold or serviced to call the Department of Insurance Fraud Section at 225-342-4956 or 1-800-259-5300. If callers don’t want their names used, they can request that their involvement be kept confidential.