Former Insurance Agent Convicted of Theft

BALTIMORE, MD ( September 3, 2009) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Walter Lewis, 49, was convicted in the Circuit Court for Howard County of felony theft. Judge Lenore Gelfman sentenced Lewis to 82 days in jail and ordered Lewis to make restitution to Nationwide Insurance Company.

At the time of the theft Lewis, formerly of Laurel, was an insurance adjuster for Nationwide. During the period of April 5, 2005 through August, 2006, Lewis stole $15,203 by writing himself or a friend a series of checks on Nationwide’s bank account. Lewis concealed the fraudulent activity by associating each check with a dormant, but real, insurance claim.

The conviction follows a joint investigation by the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Office of the Attorney General. In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Gansler thanked Assistant Attorney General Benjamin A. Harris for his work on the case.