NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Kelsey Ketron's attorney says the state's case against her should be dismissed.
Ketron was not at the hearing in Nashville where her attorney argued that the facts don't match the charges.
Ketron's accused of fraud and selling insurance without a license at her family's insurance business in Murfreesboro. These are not criminal charges, but civil charges filed by state regulators with the Tennessee Department of Insurance.
They were prompted after a Shelbyville homeowner tried to file a claim when her home was flooded and discovered the policy she'd paid for didn't exist.
Ketron was the vice president of the insurance office while her father, Bill Ketron, the current Rutherford County mayor and former state senator, owns the business.
The state's attorney told the judge they have plenty of proof to support their allegations, while Ketron's attorney said those allegations are hurting his client but that this hearing wasn't the time to argue their merits.
"That's why we have a contested hearing pending in this matter. There will be an opportunity for Ms. Ketron and her counsel to disect the evidence, to cross-examine, to provide their own evidence, witnesses, what have you," Vishan Ramcharan, the state's lead counsel in the case.
But, Ketron's attorney said the allegations are hurting his client.
"They put her integrity, character, reputation into question and that of the Ketron family. It has had a significant impact on her both emotionally and financially and it has also hurt the family's insurance business," attorney Trey Harwell said during the hearing.
The judge said he'd issue his ruling on whether the case will move forward in the next day or two.
Meanwhile, Ketron could still face criminal charges based on these same allegations. After similar complaints by at least two homeowners, Murfreesboro police raided the Ketrons' insurance office over the summer. The case has been turned over to the District Attorney's office. NewsChannel 5 has learned that the Hamilton County DA's Office is now handling it after Rutherford County DA Jennings Jones recused himself and his office to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest.
More:
Emails suggest Bill Ketron got special treatment from state insurance regulators after complaint
Rutherford Co. commissioner asks whether Bill Ketron used senate campaign money on mayoral run
Search warrant reveals what police found in raid of Ketron's insurance office
County commissioner calls for special meeting on Ketron insurance fraud case
More customers come forward and accuse Murfreesboro insurance agent Kelsey Ketron
Attorneys for Murfreesboro insurance agent Kelsey Ketron asks judge for more time in fraud case
Homeowner left without insurance after state says agent took the money and failed to get a policy
