Texas’ June Enforcement Actions Result in $441K in Fines, Restitution

Enforcement actions taken by Texas Commissioner Mike Geeslin that became final during June included 18 license revocations, five license denials and fines and restitution totaling $441,318, the Texas Department of Insurance announced.

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 for June 2009:

Anchondo, Manuel Hector of Houston
Order Number: 090494
Date of Order: 6/24/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $13,962 restitution; Limited Lines License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

Bauer Title Group, LLC; D/B/A Bee County Title of Beeville
Order Number: 090424
Date of Order: 6/9/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $6,100 fine
Violation: Failed to timely remit annual statistical report

Brown, Jeffery Eugene of Mesquite
Order Number: 090468
Date of Order: 6/17/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Felony offense

Cortez, Juan Sr. of Dickinson
Order Number: 090411
Date of Order: 6/4/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $3,000 fine; Must complete 30 hours of continuing education; General Property and Casualty License suspended for 1 year
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Country Title, LLC of Houston
Order Number: 090407
Date of Order: 6/4/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: Title Insurance Agent License revoked
Violation: Allowed individuals to act as escrow officers without a proper license; Failed to timely respond to requests for information from TDI; Failed to comply with Commissioner’s Order

Coventry Healthcare National Accounts of Downers Grove, IL
Order Number: 090486
Date of Order: 6/24/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $5,000 fine
Violation: Failed to timely file required Annual Complaint and Appeal Summary Report; Failed to timely respond to requests for information from TDI

Davis, Don M. Jr. of Springfield, MO
Order Number: 090498
Date of Order: 6/25/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: Insurance Adjuster License issued but placed on Probation for 2 years
Violation: Prior criminal history

Dehn, Kimberly Sue of Houston
Order Number: 090397
Date of Order: 6/3/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: General Property and Casualty License issued but placed on probation for 3 years; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to notify TDI of felony convictions – theft by check, driving while intoxicated

Frith, Meghan Elizabeth of Austin
Order Number: 090408
Date of Order: 6/4/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: Escrow Officer License revoked
Violation: Acted as an escrow officer without a proper license; Acted as an escrow officer without maintaining a surety bond or deposit

Grand European Tours (2003), Inc. of Lake Oswego, OR
Order Number: 090481
Date of Order: 6/23/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $10,000 fine; Specialty Travel Insurance License application approved
Violation: Unauthorized insurance

Greater Texas Title Company, Inc. of Houston
Order Number: 090482
Date of Order: 6/23/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $50,000 fine; Title Agent License revoked
Violation: Provided settlement statements that failed to name all payees; Multiple violations of minimum escrow accounting procedures

Gutierrez, Maria DeJesus of Brownsville
Order Number: 090470
Date of Order: 6/17/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $7,377 restitution; County Mutual License and General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

Haddock, Matthew Ernest of Fort Worth
Order Number: 090402
Date of Order: 6/4/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $12,000 fine
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Engaged in the unauthorized business of title insurance

Hansel, Mary Laura Lynn of San Antonio
Order Number: 090440
Date of Order: 6/10/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $1,500 fine; Must complete 30 hours of continuing education; General Life, Accident and Health License and General Property and Casualty License suspended for one year
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Harrup, Angus Justin of Highland Village
Order Number: 090464
Date of Order: 6/17/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $1,250 fine; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Hawkins, Johnathan Remon of Dallas
Order Number: 090428
Date of Order: 6/9/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $1,500 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

Jackson, James Robert of College Station
Order Number: 090496
Date of Order: 6/24/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $1,500 fine; General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Failed to comply with Commissioner’s Order; Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Jenkins, Jeffery S. of North Richland Hills
Order Number: 090425
Date of Order: 6/9/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $1,500 fine; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Liston, Steven Craig of Waukee, IA
Order Number: 090406
Date of Order: 6/4/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $3,500 fine
Violation: Failed to timely file Annual Agent Reports for Risk Retention and Purchasing Groups

Marion, Darrin of Indianapolis, IN
Order Number: 090469
Date of Order: 6/17/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Felony offense

McKinney, Gene Michael Jr. of Garland
Order Number: 090437
Date of Order: 6/10/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Engaged in deceptive acts or practices; Signed applications when not present during the sale of the annuity

Medical Review Institute of America, Inc. of Salt Lake City, UT
Order Number: 090487
Date of Order: 6/24/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $10,000 fine
Violation: Failed to utilize doctors licensed to practice in the State of Texas to perform reviews of health care services provided for workers’ compensation claims

MEI Associates, PA of Austin
Order Number: 090405
Date of Order: 6/4/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $5,000 fine
Violation: Failed to timely file required Annual Complaint and Appeal Summary Report; Failed to timely respond to requests for information from TDI

Moore, Robert Michael of Midland
Order Number: 090455
Date of Order: 6/15/2009
Order Final In: June
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

Nacogdoches Abstract & Title Company, Incorporated of Nacogdoches
Order Number: 090480
Date of Order: 6/23/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $6,600 fine
Violation: Failed to timely provide an annual trust fund account audit report

NxtGenHealth Insurance Agency, Inc. of Magnolia
Order Number: 090426
Date of Order: 6/9/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $10,000 fine
Violation: Unauthorized insurance; Engaged in false and misleading advertising

Ornelas, Cesar of Kyle
Order Number: 090477
Date of Order: 6/22/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: General Property and Casualty License issued but placed on probation for 2 years
Violation: Misdemeanor offense – Theft

Pacheco, Lorena; Navarro, Jacqueline Lissette; Diaz, Jessica of El Paso
Order Number: 090436
Date of Order: 6/10/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $9,529 restitution; General Property and Casualty Licenses and Limited Lines License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

Peak, Ronnie Lee of Carrolton
Order Number: 090504
Date of Order: 6/29/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $5,000 fine
Violation: Sold unauthorized annuity contracts

Ramey, Yashare K. of Houston
Order Number: 090472
Date of Order: 6/17/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $120,000 restitution; $1,500 fine; General Property and Casualty License and General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured

Ramos, Sue Choi of El Paso
Order Number: 090488
Date of Order: 6/24/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $1,500 fine; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements

Richmond Title Services, LP of Plano
Order Number: 090489
Date of Order: 6/24/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $140,000 fine
Violation: Multiple violations relating to the business of Title Insurance

Sentmat, Cesar A. of Austin
Order Number: 090439
Date of Order: 6/10/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: Limited Lines Agent License revoked
Violation: Made a material misrepresentation on a license application; Failed to fully disclose criminal history, including prior felony and misdemeanor theft offenses that directly related to the business of insurance

Suarez, Albert M. of Keller
Order Number: 090493
Date of Order: 6/24/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Failed to comply with Commissioner’s Order; Failed to pay ordered restitution

Tamez, Tamara Nicole of Irving
Order Number: 090410
Date of Order: 6/4/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Failed to comply with Commissioner’s Order

Terry, Julie Rebecca of Austin
Order Number: 090409
Date of Order: 6/4/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: Escrow Officer License revoked
Violation: Acted as an escrow officer without a proper license; Acted as an escrow officer without maintaining a surety bond or deposit

Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., LTD. (U.S. Branch) of New York, NY
Order Number: 090427
Date of Order: 6/9/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $2,500 fine
Violation: Failed to timely pay assigned IRO fees; Failed to timely respond to requests for information from TDI

Vanloon, Casey Ray of Rockwall
Order Number: 090438
Date of Order: 6/10/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices; Signed applications when not present during the sale of annuities

Washington, James Harold of Mansfield
Order Number: 090473
Date of Order: 6/17/2009
Order Final In: June
Action Taken: $1,500 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

Source: Texas Department of Insurance, www.tdi.state.tx.us