Former Oklahoma Insurance Agents Charged with Exploiting Elderly Man

Oklahoma officials have charged two former insurance agents with exploitation of an elderly person for fraudulently taking over an 89-year-old man’s financial affairs.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department says the two former insurance agents from Oswasso — Sterling Messer, 78, and Billie Messer, 60 — cashed $15,189 worth of checks from the victim’s bank account. The victim has alleged the Messers also pressured him into giving their church $22,000.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Anti-Fraud Unit began investigating the Messers after receiving a complaint from the victim’s longtime friend. She was concerned about the Messers selling the victim, who was 86 at the time, a $92,500 annuity with a 10-year-term requirement. Then, they sold him a $59,273 policy with a 7-year-term requirement, according to the OID’s announcement. The victim’s friend said he was unaware of the term requirements of the annuities. She also said the victim had hearing loss due to an ear injury sustained during World War II.

During the investigation, detectives learned the Messers convinced the victim to sign paperwork naming them successor trustees to his trust. The couple had also acquired durable power of attorney over the victim and amended his will to make themselves personal representatives of his estate. Combined, the moves gave the Messers control of the victim’s personal, business and financial affairs, the department says.

Sterling Messer’s insurance license was revoked on Aug. 20, 2015, for “using fraudulent, coercive or dishonest practices and by demonstrating incompetence, untrustworthiness and financial irresponsibility in the conduct of business.” Billie Messer’s insurance license was revoked on Dec. 14, 2015.

Oklahoma Insurance Department

Topics Agencies Oklahoma