Texas’ March Enforcement Actions Lead to $188K in Fines, Restitutions

The Texas Department of Insurance announced enforcement actions that became final during March include nine license revocations, four license denials and fines and restitution totaling $188,826. Copies of Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin’s orders may be obtained by contacting TDI’s Public Information Office.

Only final orders are listed. An order imposing disciplinary measures becomes final 20 days after the agent or insurance company has received notice of the order unless a motion for rehearing is filed within that period. A motion for rehearing stays the finality of an order until the Commissioner of Insurance acts upon the motion or upon the operation of law. Commissioner’s orders are subject to appeal to state district court.

Final disciplinary orders March 2007:

Alaniz, Albert III of Corpus Christi
Order Number: 070202
Date of Order: 3/20/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: Qualified Inspector appointment denied
Violation: Not in good standing with Professional Board of Engineers; Prior disciplinary history

Barnes, Shelly Lynn of Montgomery
Order Number: 070189
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $1,250 fine
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Bomar, David Earl of Austin
Order Number: 070233
Date of Order: 3/27/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: Insurance Adjuster License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Felony conviction involving moral turpitude

Chandler, Einabeth of San Antonio
Order Number: 070172
Date of Order: 3/2/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $700 fine; General Property and Casualty License revoked; Application for a General Life, Accident and Health License denied
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Helms, Cathy Ann of Natalia
Order Number: 070192
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: Insurance Adjuster License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

High Plains Abstract, Incorporated of Dalhart
Order Number: 070184
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $1,700 fine
Violation: Failed to timely remit title insurance policy guaranty fees

Kirby Title, L.L.C. of Houston
Order Number: 070195
Date of Order: 3/13/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $11,000 fine
Violation: Failed to timely provide an annual trust fund account audit report

Lecompte, Eugene E. Jr. of Alvin
Order Number: 070187
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $14,722 restitution; Life, Accident and Health License and General Property and Casualty License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

Marshall, Byron Wesley of Garland
Order Number: 070188
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: Insurance Adjuster License revoked
Violation: Criminal conduct related to the duties and responsibilities of an Insurance Adjuster

Medical Liability Insurance Company of America of St. Louis, MO
Order Number: 070185
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $45,000 fine
Violation: Failed to implement a Texas compliant loss control program

Morgan, Gilbert Scott; C.T. Group Inc.; Lucent Dynamics, L.P. of Houston; North Las Vegas, NV
Order Number: 070170
Date of Order: 2/28/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: General Property and Casualty License revoked; Cease and desist order
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured; Unauthorized insurance

Navarro County Abstract Company of Corsicana
Order Number: 070194
Date of Order: 3/13/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $5,400 fine
Violation: Failed to timely provide an annual trust fund account audit report

Patrick, Darrell M. of Richmond
Order Number: 070173
Date of Order: 3/5/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: General Life, Accident, and Health License and General Property and Casualty License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

Pieper, Howard of Houston
Order Number: 070190
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: Qualified Inspector’s Appointment revoked
Violation: Allegedly failed to provide adequate substantiating information requested by TDI regarding windstorm inspections

Remington, Emily Smith of McKinney
Order Number: 070232
Date of Order: 3/27/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: Escrow Officer License revoked; Restitution
Violation: Acted as an escrow officer without a proper license; Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Converted money belonging to another person for her own use

Robinson, Andre L. Sr. of Richmond
Order Number: 070174
Date of Order: 3/6/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: General Lines Life, Accident, and Health Agent License and General Lines Property and Casualty Agent License denied
Violation: Felony offense

Salazar, Jean-Pierre of Amarillo
Order Number: 070191
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: General Property and Casualty License application denied
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Criminal offense

Scott, Morgan Lee of Longview
Order Number: 070137
Date of Order: 2/16/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $34,053 restitution; Funeral Prearrangement Life Insurance License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

St. Paul Travelers Companies of Richardson
Order Number: 070237
Date of Order: 3/29/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $6,000 fine
Violation: Provided a continuing education course with an expired certificate

Stewart Title of Houston Company of Houston
Order Number: 070234
Date of Order: 3/29/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $50,000 fine
Violation: Employed unlicensed individuals as escrow officers; Failed to maintain proper surety bonding

Turpeau, Nicole of Houston
Order Number: 070186
Date of Order: 3/12/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $3,500 fine; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices;

Ubak-Offiong, Udoh David of Houston
Order Number: 070230
Date of Order: 3/27/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $2,500 fine
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

Unitrin County Mutual Insurance Company of Dallas
Order Number: 070238
Date of Order: 3/29/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $10,000 fine
Violation: Failed to properly log complaint information

Wright, Thomas W. of Katy
Order Number: 070236
Date of Order: 3/29/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $1,500 fine; One year suspension of Insurance Adjuster License; Must complete 30 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Wylie, Holland E. of Lubbock
Order Number: 070231
Date of Order: 3/27/2007
Order Final In: March
Action Taken: $1,500 fine; One year suspension of General Property and Casualty License and General Life, Accident and Health License; Must complete 30 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

For more information contact: PIO@tdi.state.tx.us

Source: Texas Department of Insurance