Insurance agent investigated

A Spokane Valley insurance agent could face multiple charges in connection with the theft of thousands of dollars in premium payments from at least 14 of his clients.

Chuck Raschko, 39, who worked for Farmers Insurance Group, is suspected of embezzling more than $23,300 from his customers, said Spokane Valley police Sgt. Dave Martin. Authorities are bracing for the possibility that more victims will be discovered as the case proceeds.

Detectives forwarded paperwork to the Spokane County prosecutor’s office Wednesday seeking 20 counts of second-degree theft and two counts of first-degree theft, all of which are felony offenses.

The Spokane resident – and former Spokane County sheriff’s deputy – reportedly told detectives he needed the money due to increasing business expenses, and a large monthly child support payment.

He was basically having clients write checks for premium payments to Chuck Raschko’s Insurance, rather than Farmers Insurance Group; depositing the money into his personal account at the Spokane County Law Enforcement Credit Union; and then changing the client’s address so that they didn’t receive the cancellation notices, detectives said.

Raschko began work as an insurance agent in 2001. He was fired from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in February 2000 for having sex while on duty.

Farmers Insurance Group requested a criminal investigation in September following an internal audit of Raschko’s office at 12213 E. Broadway Ave. Raschko had shut down the office over the summer, authorities said, and no longer is selling policies for any insurance carrier.

Detectives reviewed records from Raschko’s private bank account and discovered multiple victims, said Spokane Valley police Detective Kirk Keyser. Records indicated the thefts occurred between January 2004 and June 2005.

During an interview with detectives, “Raschko admitted he’s been stealing monies from clients,” Keyser said.

Detectives also found evidence that Raschko was selling policies that Farmers Insurance Group didn’t have, Keyser said. And he was cashing refund checks intended for customers.

Raschko was fired by Farmers Insurance Group shortly after the audit concluded, Keyser said. The concern now is that he has former clients out there who are under the impression they are insured.