Topics Related to NCDOI

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Christopher Bernard Hammonds, 40, of 4637 Lynn Lee Circle, Charlotte, and Ashely Marie Sowers, 35, of 607 Glasgow Road, Charlotte. Both were charged with insurance fraud. Sowers was also charged with obtaining property by false pretense. Hammonds was also charged with attempting to obtain property by false pretense. All the charges are felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey urged adults and children alike to keep safety in mind as school bells begin to ring across the state.

“We all have a role to play when it comes to keeping children safe during their trips to and from school,” Commissioner Causey said. “Caution should rule when we see a school bus, school children walking to class or when driving in a school zone.”

Commissioner Causey offered the following safety reminders as most traditional public schools prepare to start the week of Aug. 24:

For drivers:

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey named a new chief deputy commissioner to help lead the North Carolina Department of Insurance, effective Oct. 1.  Chuck Myers brings an extensive combination of insurance and law enforcement experience to his new role.  He will take over for Chief Deputy Commissioner Jackie Obusek, who announced her retirement after 30 years at the Department.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the upcoming retirement of a longtime department leader who is recognized as one of the nation’s top insurance regulators.  Chief Deputy Commissioner Jackie Obusek will step down, effective Oct. 1.

Obusek’s 30-year tenure will end a career dedicated to protecting North Carolina consumers and making sure insurance companies who operate in the state are financially sound.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Charles Cyril Edwards IV, 44, of 312 Olympia Road, New Bern. Edwards was charged with obtaining property by false pretense, a felony.

Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Edwards of submitting a fraudulent certificate of insurance to Tru-Co Inc., a general contractor, to obtain subcontracting work.

The offense occurred on May 23, 2025.

Edwards was arrested on Aug. 5 and released under a $10,000 unsecured bond. 

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Cidnee Nicole Greene, 31, of 2756 Gateworth Drive, High Point. Greene was charged with two counts of insurance fraud, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense and one count of obtaining property by false pretense, all felonies. She was also charged with making a false statement in application for insurance, a misdemeanor. 

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Melissa Lynn Mountzoures, 54, of 5517 Cedar Lake Road, Jonesville. Mountzoures has been charged with seven counts of insurance fraud, 17 counts of forgery, 17 counts of uttering a forged instrument and one count of obtaining property by false pretense, all felonies.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will join law enforcement, fire, rescue, EMS, and members of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program on Thursday, July 30, for a hot car safety awareness event hosted by ECU Health’s Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program. 

The event aims to raise awareness about the life-threatening dangers of leaving children, seniors and pets unattended in vehicles. It will feature temperature gauge demonstrations showing how quickly vehicle interiors heat up, as well as preventative tips for parents and caregivers. 

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Georgia Denise Robinson, 42, of 5801 Triangle Oaks Drive, Raleigh. Robinson was charged with insurance fraud. 

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Antonio Lorenzo Covington, 32, of 114 Woodman Ave., Charlotte. Covington was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.