Insurance agent accused of scam

Fraud charges allege homeowners paid, but were not insured, during the stormy 2003-05 seasons.

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 19, 2007

PORT RICHEY - A former insurance agent went to jail Tuesday, accused of selling fake homeowners' policies to 44 people in Hernando, Hillsborough and Pasco counties and keeping more than $90,000 in premiums.

Bruce Anthony Fonte, 53, owned Family Insurance in Port Richey.

He left dozens of customers without coverage during hurricane seasons in 2003, 2004 and 2005, during which eight hurricanes struck the state, Detective Doreen Rapp of the Division of Insurance Fraud said in a statement. One victim cited was a single mother of two in Pasco County who had an unpaid hurricane-damage claim for nearly $9,000. Some victims had to get more expensive policies through Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-run insurer of last resort, while others remain in uninsured homes.

"This individual abused his customers' trust and put them at great risk for his own personal gain," Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said in a press release.

Fonte, of 9131 Osceola Drive, Port Richey, was held Tuesday afternoon at the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $150,000 bail. He is charged with first-degree organized scheme to defraud and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

He has been permanently banned from the insurance business in Florida.

[Last modified September 18, 2007, 22:18:25]