Correction: An earlier version of this article attributed a quote to John Hunter, but the correct attribution is Byron Tucker. The change is reflected in the current article.
A former trustee of First AME Church in Los Angeles has been charged for allegedly scamming seniors - some of them church members - out of more than $100,000.
Constance Fortune, 61, was charged with three felony counts of grand theft and one felony count of financial elder abuse for the crimes allegedly committed between 2010 and 2012.
She is accused of selling homeowners, auto and life insurance policies, never actually purchasing the policies, and stealing more than $10,000 in premiums from her customers, according to the state Department of Insurance.
"It's a very sad and horrible crime, especially because she used her position of trust to befriend these seniors and eventually rip them off," said Deputy Insurance Commissioner Byron Tucker.
Fortune, who was a licensed insurance agent and trustee for First AME, hosted meetings and met
with fellow church members and others to market insurance products, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said.
She allegedly used fake letterhead to create bogus policies and then convinced elderly church members to buy them, Tucker said.
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"That's a huge financial risk," Tucker said. "Can you imagine purchasing a homeowner's policy and paying your agent, assuming your policy has been purchased, only to find there's no record of it and you've been left uncovered?"
A spokesman for First AME Church wouldn't comment on the charges Monday. According to the church, Fortune was never a paid employee, but did serve as a volunteer trustee and an unofficial spokeswoman for the church when it was under the leadership of former pastor John Hunter.
Hunter was forced out several years ago amid allegations of financial mismanagement - allegation he denies.
The Department of Insurance said the scam against the church congregants should serve as a warning to everyone who buys insurance.
"If you're submitting checks and paying premiums make sure you contact your insurance company directly to make sure you have the coverage you think you purchased," Tucker said.
NBC4 reached out to several of the elderly victims in this case, but none wanted to speak about it.
State Farm issued a statement saying Constance Fortune was no longer an independent contractor with them and hadn't been for years.
Fortune's insurance license expired in 2013. She's pleaded not guilty to the charges and was due back in court May 4. If convicted, she could face 5 years in prison.
City News Service contributed to this report.
