Attorney General Horne Announces Indictment of Scott Helmer on Charges of Fraudulent Schemes

PHOENIX (Wednesday, February 23, 2011) -- Attorney General Tom Horne announced today that Scott Arthur Helmer, 36, of Tempe, Arizona was indicted by an Arizona State Grand Jury of 20 charges related to his operation of his insurance business, Helmer Risk Management, LLC located in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Helmer is charged with eleven counts of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, class 2 felonies, five counts of Theft, class 2 felonies and four counts of Theft, class 3 felonies.

The indictment alleges between November 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 that Helmer, in his capacity as a licensed insurance broker in Arizona, diverted insurance premiums for commercial policies covering eleven businesses. The State alleges that Helmer used the premiums paid by the businesses to finance his insurance agency and personal lifestyle instead of forwarding the money to the appropriate insurance companies. 

Scott Helmer and Helmer’s Risk Management, LLC’s insurance licenses were revoked by the Arizona Department of Insurance on November 18, 2009. 

These charges are merely allegations, and Scott Helmer is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

This case was investigated by the Arizona Department of Insurance Fraud Unit. Arraignment for Scott Helmer is scheduled for February 28, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. before Commissioner Rees of the Maricopa County Superior Court.