Insurance agents fined for conning black funeral homes

Jet, Feb 9, 2004

After several African-American funeral homes throughout Maryland were conned out of $820,000, two Maryland insurance agents recently were slapped with the largest fine ever levied against employees in that capacity.

William Ray Miller II and Donna Mannino--two White Maryland Insurance Administration agents--were fined $225,000 for allegedly defrauding at least five clients.

The pair is suspected of over charging, falsely demanding interest payments on premiums and collecting fees for nonexistent property, the state administration told the Baltimore Sun. The duo's targets were mostly Black-owned funeral homes, spanning as far east as Delaware and as far west as Texas.

In addition to paying the hefty fine, both employees will have their licenses revoked. "This should serve as a warning," said Maryland insurance commissioner, Alfred W. Redmer Jr.