New parole board chairman once investigated for fraud

Saturday, April 9th 2005, 12:08 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The new chairman of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board was investigated for alleged insurance fraud but was not prosecuted because he paid restitution, officials confirmed Friday.

Gov. Brad Henry appointed James Marion Brown Sr., 52, of McAlester, to the board in February 2003. He was elected chairman this February. He is a high school psychology teacher and former McAlester city councilman.

Brown referred questions Friday to his attorney, Warren Gotcher, who told The Oklahoman, ``I don't know what else more you need. Sounds like you got it all, don't you?''

Brown reimbursed American Fidelity Assurance Co. of Oklahoma City $3,120.03 more than two years ago, officials said.

Brown had disability insurance that covered him for any loss of income after an injury. He filed a claim in April 2002 and reported fracturing a wrist in a motorcycle accident, officials said.

He was investigated by the state Insurance Department, which sent a report to Attorney General Drew Edmondson this year.

``Because the case is old and restitution has been made to the insurance company, we've determined it does not merit prosecution,'' said Emily Lang, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office.

The Oklahoman learned of the investigation from a review this week of internal e-mails at the Insurance Department.

In a Dec. 30 e-mail, then-chief investigator Greg Shields informed his boss of ``an investigation involving a possible crime of false claim for insurance related to a disability claim filed by James Marion Brown.''

Shields described Brown as a McAlester teacher and member of the Pardon and Parole Board.

He wrote that another investigator had told Brown ``she would not notify the governor's office until such time a charge was filed.''

Officials at the Insurance Department said Friday that by law, they cannot comment on the investigation since no charge was filed. A spokesman in the governor's office said they were unaware of the investigation.

The insurance company confirmed Brown had been a policy holder with disability insurance. The company's general counsel, Steve Garrett, said he could not comment further because of privacy requirements.