Texas October Enforcement Actions Total Nearly $650K

The Texas Department of Insurance announced enforcement actions taken by Commissioner Mike Geeslin that became final during October.

The actions include a license revocation, a license denials and fines and restitution totaling $647,498. Copies of 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 October 2007:

Allstate Insurance Company of Irving
Order Number: 070925
Date of Order: 10/24/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $4,500 fine
Violation: Failed to issue certificates of completion containing minimum information in continuing education rules

Cadena, Christine Michelle of Fort Worth
Order Number: 070900
Date of Order: 10/11/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: Adjuster License surrendered and canceled; Order prohibits right to re-apply for 5 years
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured; Felony conviction directly related to the business of insurance

Chicago Title Insurance Company – Dallas of Dallas
Order Number: 070883
Date of Order: 10/1/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $45,000 fine
Violation: Allegedly made false statements on a renewal application

CHS ADMIN, LLC; Worthy, William M. II; Parimore, Philip Arthur of Spartanburg, SC; Cordova, TN
Order Number: 070936
Date of Order: 10/26/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $300,000 fine; $160,148 restitution; 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

Country Title, LLC of Houston
Order Number: 070882
Date of Order: 10/1/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $15,000 fine
Violation: Failed to timely provide an annual trust fund account audit report; Failed to timely remit quarterly guaranty fees

Cuellar, Juan Andres of San Antonio
Order Number: 070924
Date of Order: 10/24/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: General Property and Casualty License denied
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices

Fidelity National Title Agency, Inc. of Irving
Order Number: 070926
Date of Order: 10/24/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $50,000 fine
Violation: Allegedly failed to use bona fide employees as escrow officers in closing transactions; Allegedly made a material misstatement in a license application

Fly, Judy Kay of Grand Prairie
Order Number: 070905
Date of Order: 10/16/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $7,000 fine
Violation: Allegedly failed to use bona fide employees as escrow officers in closing transactions; Allegedly made a material misstatement in a license application

Hawkins, Charlie D.; First Choice Auto Insurance of Rowlett, Dallas
Order Number: 070878
Date of Order: 10/1/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: Emergency Cease and Desist
Violation: Unauthorized insurance; Engaged in unfair and deceptive acts or practices

Helms, Cathy Ann of Natalia
Order Number: 070927
Date of Order: 10/24/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: 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

M.E.S. of Houston
Order Number: 070906
Date of Order: 10/16/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $4,200 fine
Violation: Taught continuing education courses without valid course certifications; Failed to maintain attendance records; Failing to include the minimum information required on course certification

Meridian Abstract Company, Incorporated of Meridian
Order Number: 070880
Date of Order: 10/1/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $2,000 fine
Violation: Failed to timely provide an annual trust fund account audit report

Miller, Sharen A. of Round Rock
Order Number: 070934
Date of Order: 10/26/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $1500 fine; Must complete 30 hours of continuing education; General Life, Accident and Health License suspended for one year
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Murillo, Tony of Arlington
Order Number: 070935
Date of Order: 10/26/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $1,500 fine
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Rivers, Latunya S. of DeSoto
Order Number: 070881
Date of Order: 10/1/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $1,500 fine; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Simon, Celestine Akachukwu of Houston
Order Number: 070899
Date of Order: 10/11/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $750 fine; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Sloan, Craig Eugene of The Colony
Order Number: 070896
Date of Order: 10/11/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $1,500 fine; Must complete 30 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Southern American Title/West, LLC of Katy
Order Number: 070922
Date of Order: 10/24/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $15,000 fine
Violation: Allegedly failed to timely remit title insurance policy guaranty fees; Allegedly failed to timely provide an annual trust fund account audit report

String, Tamara Rashawn of Katy
Order Number: 070895
Date of Order: 10/11/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $3,000 fine
Violation: Acted as an escrow officer without a proper license

Unicare Life and Health Insurance Company of Chicago, IL
Order Number: 070923
Date of Order: 10/24/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $15,000 fine
Violation: Allegedly taking inappropriate discounts on claims where no direct contract existed

United Title Of Texas of Austin
Order Number: 070897
Date of Order: 10/11/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $16,200 fine
Violation: Failed to timely provide an annual trust fund account audit report

Williams, Monica Cantu of Duncanville
Order Number: 070898
Date of Order: 10/11/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $700 fine
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Wong, Tina Renee of Austin
Order Number: 070914
Date of Order: 10/22/2007
Order Final In: October
Action Taken: $3,000 fine; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education; General Life, Accident and Health License suspended for one year
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

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