Homeowners' Complaints Lead To Insurance Agent's Arrest

NEW YORK, NY (04/07/2011)(readMedia)-- Complaints from seven homeowners led to the arrest of a Suffolk County insurance agent who is accused of stealing approximately $7,700 in premiums, the New York State Insurance Department reported.

Suffolk County police arrested Robert P. Manigaulte, 53, of Medford, for collecting homeowners' insurance premiums but never sending the money to insurers. Manigaulte is a director of the Alexander Hamilton Insurance Agency in Centerport.

Manigaulte was arrested after an investigation prompted by complaints from homeowners who contacted the Insurance Department's Consumer Services Bureau. They complained that homeowners' insurance policies were never issued to them even though they paid premiums to Manigaulte last year.

The investigation was conducted by the Insurance Department's Frauds Bureau and the office of District Attorney Thomas J. Spota.

Manigaulte was charged with a first degree count of fraud and a third degree count of grand larceny after his arrest on March 7. If he is convicted, he could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison.

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