Jim C. Beck (born September 1961) is an American politician who formerly served as the Insurance Commissioner of Georgia.[1] Beck previously served as the Deputy Insurance Commissioner of Georgia to former Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine.
Jim Beck | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Insurance Commissioner of Georgia | |
| In office January 14, 2019 – July 22, 2021 Suspended: May 16, 2019 – July 22, 2021 | |
| Governor | Brian Kemp |
| Preceded by | Ralph Hudgens |
| Succeeded by | John King |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 29, 1961 Douglasville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lucy Beck |
| Education | University of West Georgia (BA) |
In August 2017, Beck announced he would run to replace Ralph Hudgens as the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner of Georgia.[2]
He was suspended by Governor Brian Kemp in 2019 pending an investigation into allegations of illegal activity committed prior to his taking office.[3] Beck was convicted of 37 counts of fraud and money laundering on July 22, 2021, which triggered his full, immediate removal from office. He was succeeded officially by John King, whom Kemp appointed on an interim basis in 2019 pending the outcome of Beck's investigation.[4]
Early life
editJim Beck was born in Douglasville, Georgia. He graduated from the University of West Georgia with a bachelor of arts degree in marketing.
Political career
editBeck's first role in public service was as Deputy Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner for the State of Georgia. Later he served as the Chief of Staff for Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens. In August 2017 Beck announced his candidacy for the office of Insurance Commissioner in Georgia in 2018.[2]
On May 14, 2019, while Insurance Commissioner, a federal grand jury indicted Beck for fraud, as he was alleged to have embezzled more than $2 million from the Georgia Underwriting Association from February 2013 through August 2018. Beck was elected Commissioner in 2018, after previously serving as general manager of operations for the Georgia Underwriting Association. His trial was set to begin July 12, 2021.[5]
On May 16, 2019, Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order suspending Beck from office at Beck’s request pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.[6] The state spent about $200,000 a year on Beck’s salary and benefits while he was suspended.[5] He was convicted on 37 counts of fraud and money laundering on July 22, 2021.[7] On October 12, 2021, he was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for fraud and money laundering.[8]
Personal life
editBeck and his wife Lucy reside in Carrollton, Georgia. He has one son from a previous marriage, Jimmy Beck, Jr.
References
edit- ^ Miller, Andy (November 7, 2018). "Beck apparent winner for state insurance post". georgiahealthnews.com.
- ^ a b "Former Georgia Deputy Insurance Commissioner Beck to Seek State's Top Insurance Post". www.insurancejournal.com. 2017-10-17.
- ^ Russell, Dale (2019-11-26). "Former Insurance employees sue indicted and suspended Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ Jurors convict former Georgia insurance chief in $2.5M fraud Archived July 23, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Salzer, James (July 11, 2021). "Suspended Ga. Insurance Commissioner Beck to go on trial in theft case". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
- ^ "Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck suspended after fraud indictment". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2019-05-18.
- ^ "Former insurance commissioner Jim Beck guilty on 37 counts of fraud, money laundering". 22 July 2021.
- ^ "$2.5M theft scheme: Georgia ex-official begins prison term". Citynews. December 2, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2024.