RALEIGH -- Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin announced the arrest of James Howard Ellington, 74, of 2901 Market Bridge Lane, Raleigh; he was charged with 10 counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators allege that Ellington, while working as an insurance agent, took more than $58,000 in insurance premiums from policyholders and failed to remit them to the insurance companies.

Ellington was arrested on June 23 in Wake County; his bond was set at $20,000. Ellington surrendered his North Carolina insurance licenses in May 2014.

The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud. Since Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin took office in 2009, criminal investigators have made more than 1,000 arrests, resulting in more than 500 criminal convictions with more than 200 cases currently pending court. These efforts have delivered more than $61 million in restitution and recoveries for victims.

Goodwin says an estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available atwww.ncdoi.com.Apply