The Region - News from April 18, 1986

A former insurance salesman was convicted in Los Angeles federal court on charges of mail fraud and moving stolen property across state lines in a scheme that is said to have bilked United Insurance Co. of America out of $1.1 million in phony death-benefit payments. Gerges Soliman, 45, of Culver City, was the last of six United employees convicted in the scheme, which involved continuing payment on lapsed policies and then submitting forged death certificates that resulted in payment of benefits into bank accounts controlled by William Ekaired, a veteran employee who admitted operating the scheme over a period of eight years. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty. Soliman faces a maximum 35 years in prison and a $25,000 fine when sentenced May 19.