Phony insurance agent imprisoned

A former Oak Harbor insurance agent who forged his license and stole money from clients has gone to prison.

A former Oak Harbor insurance agent who forged his license and stole money from clients has gone to prison.

Alexander Britton, 38, of Anacortes pleaded guilty in Island County Superior Court July 15 to first-degree theft and forgery.

Judge Pro Tem Chris Lyons agreed with the plea bargain worked out between the prosecution and defense. He sentenced Britton to two years and five months in prison and ordered him to pay $11,300 in fines, fees and restitution.

Under the deal, Britton will serve his prison sentence concurrent to a Skagit County case. In January, he was convicted in Skagit County Superior Court to theft in the first degree, theft in the second degree, two counts of forgery, and unlawful issuance of bank checks.

According to court documents, Britton sold life and disability insurance for an Oak Harbor branch of RIS Insurance from December 2003 to March 2004.

Britton had flunked his insurance exam, so he forged a license.

Britton stole money that customers paid for policies, court documents state, which amounted to nearly $7,000.

In addition, Britton went as far as to pawn two computers from his office and pocketed the money, the report states.

You can reach Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com or 675-6611.