Pittsburgh Agency Shut for Alleged Premium Fraud

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has shut down Pittsburgh-based Morry Hoffman Agency Inc. for allegedly misappropriating $1 million in premiums.

The agency wrote commercial policies for restaurants including liquor liability coverage. Within a two-year timeframe, the department discovered that the agency failed to forward more than $1 million in premiums on behalf of their clients to numerous insurance companies and agencies.

“These actions jeopardized customers who purchased insurance through Morry Hoffman in good faith. Consumers who used this agency should contact their insurance companies immediately to verify that their policies are current and in effect,” said Ron Gallagher, deputy insurance commissioner for the Office of Market Regulation.

As part of a settlement agreement, the department said it revoked the agency’s insurance license. The department said it had previously revoked the license of Marjorie Dee Rothrauff, the agency’s designated licensee. The agency president, Carol Hughes, is unlicensed and cannot legally transact the business of insurance, according to officials.

In addition, the department said it referred the case to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for a possible criminal investigation.

Latest Comments

• March 18, 2011 at 2:31 pm

  jw says:

  Gee..... Brian..... we only know about the ones that get caugh not the ones that get away with it>>
• February 24, 2011 at 3:16 pm

  Chameleon says:

  Rocket88, why in the world would you want everything converted to direct bill? That makes no sense. The majority of agents/brokers are highly reputable; they are not thieves. ... read more
• February 23, 2011 at 2:28 pm

  Rocket88 says:

  This is a crime that is deep rooted in the broker/agency industry since the first brokers and agents were formed. You can increase the penalties and jail time, you can have al... read more