OKLA. AGENT CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT

The owner of a Locust Grove, Okla., insurance agency has been accused of illegally taking almost $6,500 in insurance premium payments, according to Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

Leslie Lewis Kern was charged Nov. 2 in Mayes County District Court with eight counts of embezzlement. Kern allegedly accepted $6,473 in homeowners’ insurance premium payments from six customers but did not place coverage on their homes. Instead, the state alleges, Kern kept the money for his own use.

Kern, 48, is the owner of Kern Insurance Agency in Locust Grove.

Investigators from Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland’s office investigated the case, and Edmondson’s office will conduct the prosecution.