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State of Oklahoma

Posted: Aug 25, 2016 6:16 AMUpdated: Aug 25, 2016 6:16 AM

Insurance Department Charges Two Former Owasso Agents

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Charlie Taraboletti

An Owasso couple is charged with exploitation of an elderly person for fraudulently taking over an 89-year-old man's financial affairs. Former insurance agents 78 year-old Sterling Messer and 60 year-old Billie Messer cashed $15,189 worth of checks from the victim's bank account. The victim said the Messers also pressured him into giving their church $22,000.

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak says the pair violated each and every element of their professional and ethical duties.  Doak says his office will not tolerate any action that violates a consumer's trust. He commends investigators for their hard work on this case.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department's Anti-Fraud Unit began investigating the Messers after receiving a complaint from the victim's longtime friend. She was concerned about the Messers selling the victim, who was 86 at the time, a $92,500 annuity with a 10-year-term requirement. Then, they sold him a $59,273 policy with a 7-year-term requirement. The victim's friend said he was unaware of the term requirements of the annuities. She also said the victim had hearing loss due to an ear injury sustained during World War II.

Doak revoked Sterling Messer's insurance license on Aug. 20, 2015 for "using fraudulent, coercive or dishonest practices and by demonstrating incompetence, untrustworthiness and financial irresponsibility in the conduct of business." Billie Messer's insurance license was revoked on Dec. 14 of last year.


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