Whitehorse insurance broker Joanne Walker has been charged with several counts of criminal fraud, the RCMP said Monday afternoon.

Walker is the owner of Territories Insurance Solutions. She has been under investigation by the RCMP since Aug. 30, following suspicions that false insurance policies were being issued.

Walker has now been charged with fraud, theft over $5,000, forgery and uttering a forged document, police say.

An investigation conducted by the Yukon government began in early July to determine if Walker had been operating contrary to the Yukon Insurance Act.

By September, it was found that she had.

The government estimated approximately 120 Yukoners were sold invalid insurance, representing more than $100,000 in premiums. The policies were issued for automobiles, recreational vehicles, homes and commercial liability.

Walker's licence was suspended on July 7. She has since been ordered by the government to cease engaging in the business of insurance and to return all amounts procured through false insurance transactions.

The refund orders cover the entire period Walker held her licence, which extended from July 19, 2004 to Aug. 25, 2005.

At the start of the government investigation, Walker refunded premiums to approximately 12 Yukoners.

Though charges have been laid, the RCMP investigation is continuing.

Individuals holding false policies should contact the Yukon's superintendent of insurance and/or the RCMP, if they have not already done so.

Walker, who last summer never responded to the Star's inquiries about her business practices, is expected to make her first appearance in court later this week.