Warner Robins insurance agent admits to taking $220k from client
A former Alfa Insurance agent from Warner Robins admitted to taking $220,000 from one of his clients to pay off other clients’ insurance premiums.
Jeremy Lasseter pleaded guilty in front of Judge Marc Treadwell on Wednesday to one count of bank fraud after he directed his client to withdraw money to pay for their insurance premiums, but he instead used the money to “pay insurance premiums for other customers, without (the client’s) knowledge or permission,” court records show.
He would direct the client to make the payments via cash or by check, which was addressed to him, rather than Alfa Insurance, claiming that it would better for tax purposes, according to Elizabeth Howard, the federal prosecutor for this case.
The incidents occurred between March 2020 and September 2023. He faces a potential fine up to $1 million and a maximum prison sentence of 30 years, though final punishment will be determined by the judge, who will use federal sentencing guidelines to determine a sentence.
Jeff Helms, an Alfa spokesperson, confirmed Lasseter was terminated as an exclusive agent on Sept. 27, 2023, for unrelated reasons.
“A ... review of Lasseter‘s book of business prompted Alfa to notify the Georgia Department of insurance and federal law enforcement,” Helms said. “Alfa has fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation and is eager to see justice served.”
Lassetter will remain out of custody until his sentencing. A date for that hearing had not been set as of Wednesday.
