N.Y. Arrests Man for Phony WC Certs.

New York State Fraud investigators announced the arrest of Lon T. Horton on 43 counts of issuing fraudulent certificates of insurance, two counts of insurance fraud, four counts of petit larceny and one count of falsifying business records. Authorities identified Horton as the owner of Horton Insurance Services, located in Brockport, and suspended his license pending a hearing.

The investigation revealed that Horton had issued fraudulent certificates of workers’ compensation to self-employed persons as evidence of coverage for potential employers. As a result, businesses employing these individuals were improperly charged workers’ compensation rates based on this fraudulent information. These businesses have so far been assessed additional rate charges in excess of $100,000.

Horton is also alleged to have taken workers’ compensation premiums from insureds but never placed insurance with any carrier. He was arrested on Jan. 27, and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. Horton had been arrested in September 2003 on similar charges. Officials urged any New Yorkers who have concerns about their dealings with Horton to call the insurance department’s Buffalo office at (716) 847-7176.