RALEIGH -- Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrest of David Mark Blanton, 50, of 11061 Creekside Drive, Leland; he is charged with six counts of embezzlement by an insurance agent, two counts of forgery of an instrument and two counts of uttering a forged instrument.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Blanton, as a licensed insurance agent with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, of accepting premium payments from United Insurance Company customers without applying that money towards their policies from October 2012 through November 2013, at times asking customers to write a check directly to him. Investigators allege Blanton forged checks belonging to United Insurance, fraudulently made them payable to himself and deposited the money into his personal account on two occasions between November 2011 and August 2012.

Blanton was served warrants on Sept. 2 and Sept. 3 in New Hanover County and released on a $125,000 bond.

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 1,500 arrests, resulting in more than 750 criminal convictions with more than 250 cases currently pending court. These efforts have delivered more than $72.1 million in restitution and recoveries for victims.

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 at www.ncdoi.com.