Michigan insurance agent headed to jail for scamming clients

A Michigan insurance agent is headed to jail for a year for scamming her clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the state’s attorney general.

Alicia Holbrook-Bloink and her insurance firm, Holbrook Insurance Agency, pleaded guilty to multiple felonies in December, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Holbrook-Bloink pleaded guilty to conducting a criminal enterprise, while the company pleaded guilty to conducting a criminal enterprise, embezzlement, identity theft, and tax evasion.

Between 2015 and 2018, Holbrook-Bloink used her agency to embezzle nearly $375,000 by taking money from clients who had paid in full, then forging finance agreements with premium finance companies to ensure the clients’ policies were issued while Holbrook-Bloink stole their money. These finance contracts often went unpaid, resulting in the cancellation of insurance policies, often without the clients’ knowledge, the Michigan Department of the Attorney General said.

The case was referred to the attorney general’s office by the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) after several of the victims filed complaints. It was investigated by DIFS and special agents from the attorney general’s office.

“We thank the attorney general’s office for its partnership in prosecuting this case and bringing justice for individuals who were harmed by this crime,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “DIFS is committed to protecting Michigan consumers in the insurance and financial services industry.”

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Last week, Holbrook-Bloink was sentenced to a year in jail and three years of probation. Restitution will be determined at a June 10 hearing.

“When the people we hire to protect our assets choose instead to pocket our money, there must be consequences,” Nessel said. “My office remains committed to ensuring Michiganders are not taken advantage of by bad actors. I will continue to work with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services to protect our residents from dishonest practices.”