Attorney General's News Release

March 16, 2001

Springfield insurance agent arrested on 10 felony charges of fraud, stealing and forgery brought by Nixon

Springfield, Mo. — A Springfield insurance agent was arrested today by the Greene County Sheriff's Department on 10 felony charges filed by Attorney General Jay Nixon, including six counts of unlawful merchandising practices, two counts of stealing, one count of securities fraud and one count of forgery.

The complaint against Roy G. Harris Jr. (DOB - 8/12/64) alleges that, between April 1998 and March 2000, Harris misrepresented to several clients that their money was used for investments such as stocks, viaticals, annuities, IRAs and telephone equipment when it was diverted for Harris' personal use, and that he allegedly created documents to create the impression that the investments had been made.

Harris also is charged with stealing two checks totalling $21,574 from another client and forging the client's name to a third check for $8,556.

Stealing and forgery are class C felonies under Missouri law, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine; unlawful merchandising practices is a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine; and securities fraud is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

The charges against Harris are merely accusations; as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818