New state insurance commissioner implements get-tough policy

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Two top employees at the scandal-ridden Oklahoma Insurance Department are resigning because of a tough new policy on avoiding conflicts of interest.<br/><br/>Department officials

Wednesday, May 18th 2005, 5:45 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Two top employees at the scandal-ridden Oklahoma Insurance Department are resigning because of a tough new policy on avoiding conflicts of interest.

Department officials say Director of agents licensing Phil Marsh and director of senior health insurance counseling William -E- Smith will leave in June.

Their departures are part of an effort by new Commissioner Kim Holland to restore public confidence in the scandal-ridden Insurance Department.

Marsh is leaving after disclosing that his wife works for an insurance agency. He gives up a job that paid $62,000 a year.

Smith is retiring after disclosing he made $15,000 last year from AFLAC off the renewal of insurance policies. Officials say he once was an agent there. He gives up a job that paid $51,000 a year.