Jim Beck, commissioner of the Georgia Insurance Department, speaks at a press conference about an insurance fraud bust in a courtroom at the Clayton County Superior Court in Jonesboro. Three victims of the insurance fraud have been identified.

Jim Beck, commissioner of the Georgia Insurance Department, speaks at a press conference about an insurance fraud bust in a courtroom at the Clayton County Superior Court in Jonesboro. Three victims of the insurance fraud have been identified. / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday asked for Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck to resign. Beck pleaded not guilty to 38 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

“Given the serious nature of your indictment, I respectfully request your resignation as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Insurance,” a letter from Kemp to Beck read. “Your indictment severely undermines your ability to fulfill your official obligations to the people of Georgia.”

He was indicted Tuesday after a federal grand jury alleged he was behind a $2 million scheme defrauding the Georgia Underwriting Association from February 2013 to June 2018.

Beck served as the GUA’s general manager before being elected to statewide office last November.

At his arraignment, Beck recused himself from any decision making as the insurance commissioner that could impact the GUA.

His bond was set at $25,000 and he must surrender his passport. Due to the nature of his job, Beck is allowed to freely travel within the state of Georgia without prior approval once he’s released.

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