Former Florida Surplus Lines
Association Leader Indicted
1/23/2013
By: Michael Adams
Insurance Journal
A former executive director and past president of the Florida Surplus Lines
Association (FSLA) has been indicted for allegedly embezzling an estimated
$130,000 in association funds.
Roger Gobler has been charged with 11 counts of mail fraud and five counts of
wire fraud related to the theft of FSLA funds by a federal grand jury in the
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida—Jacksonville Division.
The indictment comes nearly a year after association officers said they
discovered the theft in February 2012. At that time, the FSLA says it notified
law enforcement authorities and dismissed Gobler, who at the time was serving as
the association’s executive director.
According to a nine-page federal indictment, the 81-year-old Gobler, starting in
2007 and continuing until 2011, allegedly opened a series of bank accounts in
Jacksonville under the FSLA name where he deposited association dues and other
monies.
Gobler then allegedly used the money to pay personal expenses including a
personal America Express account and other credit card bills, life insurance
premiums, and personal automobile repairs. He also allegedly used the money to
pay creditors and businesses and deposited FSLA checks directly into his
personal bank account.
The indictment also charges that Gobler generated false quarterly financial
statements to hide the alleged theft from the FSLA’s board of directors.
According to the Clerk of Court for the U.S. District Court, a trial date has
been scheduled for March 4.
Gobler’s attorney had no comment.
