Insurance agent in Palm Beach County accused of keeping $90K meant for coverage

www.cbs12.com, Skyler Shepard, June 8, 2026

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Palm Beach Gardens insurance agent is facing felony charges after investigators say she collected more than $90,000 in insurance premiums but never sent the money to the company that issued the coverage.

Checree Bryant, 51, was arrested on June 5 following an investigation by the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Criminal Investigations Division.

According to investigators with the Department of Financial Services, Bryant ran Innovative Bonding Services LLC and sold three insurance bonds between May 2022 and May 2023. The bonds were issued through Old Republic Surety Company and purchased by two construction companies, Vero Beach Roofing and IQ Constructions.

Those companies paid a total of $90,018, expecting their projects to be covered. But investigators say the money never made it to the insurance company.

Under state rules and her contract, Bryant was supposed to hold those premium payments in a trust account and pass them along within a certain timeframe. Instead, authorities say bank records show the money was spent on personal expenses.

The problem came to light when Old Republic Surety Company reported it had not received the payments, even though the bonds were issued in its name.

Investigators say this was not a one-time issue. They describe it as a pattern that played out over multiple transactions and dates, leaving the bonds unpaid.

Authorities also say Bryant collected about $30,000 in commission tied to the deals, even though the funds were never properly handled.

Bryant is now facing several charges, including misappropriation of premium funds, an organized scheme to defraud involving $50,000 or more, and grand theft.

She was arrested at a Department of Financial Services office in West Palm Beach and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail. Bond was set at $31,000, according to the arrest report.

News article: Insurance agent in Palm Beach County accused of keeping $90K meant for coverage