|
|
|
| Home > Insurance Division > Enforcement Activity |
| 2013 Insurance Enforcement Activity |
January > February > March > April > May > June > July > August > September > October > November > December
|
| December |
Final Orders
Ashley Rae Lightner, Indianapolis, IN
Order #E13-132, December 13, 2013
Respondent forged an applicant’s signature on an insurance application, applied for insurance without the applicant’s knowledge or consent, authorized payment of the premium for said application through a VISA credit card issued to a different client, failed to notify the Department of actions taken against her by other insurance departments and failed to respond to the Department’s inquiries.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $5,000 and Costs - $950.64
Justin L. McKinnon, Hesperia and Fremont, MI
Order #E13-138, December 20, 2013
Respondent committed second degree home invasion and failed to notify the Department of the filing of criminal charges against him and of his conviction.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $2,500 and Costs - $212.50
Robert A. Stein and AAS Insurance Brokerage of New York, Inc., New York, NY
Order #13-131, December 10, 2013
Respondents misappropriated premium and failed to respond to the Department’s inquiries.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $10,000, Restitution - $3,270.63 and Costs - $300
Orders to Show Cause
Thomas M. LaGuidice, Staten Island, NY
Order #E13-135, December 20, 2013
Respondent is charged with misappropriation of premium, failure to maintain a premium trust account, failure to maintain accurate books and records, failure to respond to a Department subpoena and failure to disclose a fine by another state insurance department on his insurance producer license application.
Andrea L. Tuite, Freehold and Toms River, NJ
Order #E13-130, December 10, 2013
Andrea L. Tuite, Freehold and Toms River, NJ and Rapid Release Bail Bonds Inc., Freehold, NJ
Order #E13-129, December 10, 2013
Respondents are charged with altering a certificate of surrender or body receipt, with presenting the altered document to a municipal court to secure the release of a bail bond and with failing to respond to a Department inquiry. Respondent Tuite is also charged with conviction of fourth degree forgery, with failing to notify the Department of the indictment and conviction, with improperly indicating on her insurance producer renewal application that she was not currently charged with a crime and with failing to notify the Department of a change in residence address. Temporary suspension of respondent Tuite’s license is sought pending administrative proceedings.
Consent Orders
Betty E. Acevedo, Milmay, NJ
Order #E13-128, December 4, 2013
Respondent failed to timely remit a premium payment and failed to maintain a trust account.
Sanction: Fine - $2,000
Nicholas P. Belfiore, Flanders, NJ
Order #E13-136, December 20, 2013
Respondent completed a homeowner application for a client and improperly answered various underwriting questions and provided such incorrect answers without consulting with the client. Respondent faxed the client a blank signature page for the application, instructed the client to sign and return it and then signed the application as witness to the signature.
Sanction: Fine - $5,000
James E. Dottrina, Pym Harbor, FL
Order #E13-137, December 20, 2013
Respondent improperly applied premium discounts on four automobile insurance policies.
Sanction: Fine - $2,000
Dimitry Manasov, Neptune, NJ, Alexander Step, Neptune, NJ and USPA LLC, Hollywood, FL
Order #E13-134, December 18, 2013
Respondents submitted deceptive and/or misleading public adjuster solicitation letters to New Jersey residents.
Sanction: Fine - $1,000
Patricia K. Tropea, Brick, NJ
Order #E13-133, December 13, 2013
Respondent replaced an annuity without advising the client that a protection clause endorsement in the replaced annuity provided for a full refund of the principal amount if the annuity was held to a certain date.
Sanctions: Fine - $1,500
|
| |
| November |
Final Order
Jordan L. Zemlock, Wrightstown, NJ
Jay Zee Financial Group, Inc., Morganville, NJ
Order #E13-123, November 13, 2013
Respondents did not respond to an Order to Show Cause charging Jordan Zemlock with conviction of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property Received in the 2nd Degree, with incorrectly indicating on his resident insurance producer license renewal application that he was not currently charged with a crime, and with failing to report the filing of formal criminal charges and criminal conviction to the commissioner.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $12,500 and Costs - $1,750
Orders to Show Cause
Jennifer L. Battiloro, Linden, NJ and Westfield, NJ
Order #E13-118, November 8, 2013
Respondent is charged with forging an insured’s name on an agent/broker of record change form without the insured’s knowledge or consent and with failing to respond to a Department inquiry.
Michael P. Ippolito, South Hadley, MA
James B. Richwine, Carlisle, PA
The Benefit Partnership, Inc., Springfield, MA
Order #E13-124, November 19, 2013
Respondents are charged with knowingly enrolling individuals who were not eligible group members in group life insurance coverage and with coaching such individuals to falsely respond to application questions so as to appear to be eligible group members. Ippolito is also charged with failing to notify the Commissioner of the revocation of his producer license in 14 states.
Consent Orders
Paola M. Cruz, Howard Beach, NY
Order #E13-125, November 19, 2013
Respondent completed three Medicare Advantage applications prior to her appointment with the carrier and post-dated the applications to a date following her appointment.
Sanction: Fine - $3,000
Nancy L. Henry and Ms. Nancy’s EZ-Out Bail Bonds, Mt. Holly, NJ
Order #E13-126, November 19, 2013
Respondents failed to properly supervise the conduct of her insurance business when the date, principal’s name and relationship on an Indemnitor’s Personal Information Affidavit submitted in connection with a bail bond application was altered, failed to fully respond to a Department subpoena and failed to timely respond to Department inquiries.
Sanction: Fine - $10,000
Norma Joyce, Madison, NC
AUA, Inc., Greensboro, NC
Order #E13-120, November 8, 2013
Respondents failed to remit premium due and payable to insurance carriers and failed to refund the premiums to policyholders.
Sanction: Revocation
Tori N. Kelly, City Island, NY
Kevin M. Taylor, Bronx, NY and Pelham, NY
Premium Adjusters, Inc., City Island, NY
Order #E13-119, November 8, 2013
Respondent Premium Adjusters, Inc. entered into a premium adjustment contract prior to being licensed as a public adjuster, respondent Tori Kelly presented himself as a public adjuster to an insurance company on behalf of a New Jersey client when he was not licensed as a public adjuster in New Jersey.
Sanction: Fine - $4,000
Yvette Nelson-Quinones, Trenton, NJ
Order #E13-127, November 22, 2013
Respondent was convicted of Theft of Moveable Property in the form of settlement funds and real estate deposit funds.
Sanction: Revocation
Telecia L. Palmer, Jacksonville, FL
Order #E13-122, November 13, 2013
Respondent was employed by a bail bond agency when an Indemnitor’s Personal Information Affidavit was altered with respect to the date, principal’s name and relationship and the altered affidavit was submitted in connection with a bail bond application.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $2,000
Albert A. Paramito, Marlton, NJ
Order #E13-121, November 8, 2013
Respondent was convicted of Theft by Deception and Conspiracy, failed to notify the Commissioner of the charges and the conviction and failed to disclose the charges on his resident insurance producer license renewal application.
Sanction: Revocation |
| |
| October |
Final Order
Sharon P. Agbavor, Elmont, NY
Order #E13-109, October 7, 2013
Respondent did not respond to an Order to Show Cause charging her with conviction of theft by unlawful taking of moveable property and failure to report her arrest, indictment and conviction to the Department.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $2,500 and Costs - $150
Orders to Show Cause
Robert S. Bland and Life Quotes, Inc., Darien, IL
Order #E13-115, October 31, 2013
Respondents are charged with mailing advertisements to New Jersey residents that do not identify the name of insurer and that offer inducements to purchase insurance other than as plainly expressed in the insurance contract.
Walter A. Lacey, Lawnside, NJ
Carmen L. Lebron, Norcorss, GA
Carmen I. Mason, Camden, NJ
Platinum Title & Abstract Agency LLC., Camden and Lawnside, NJ
Order #E13-108, October 7, 2013
Respondents are charged with misappropriating $1,500 held in escrow as part of a closing and failing to respond to Department inquiries.
Beverly Stewart, New York, NY
Order #E13-116, October 31, 2013
Respondent is charged with creating false financial documents in support of the applications for life insurance of a fictitious person.
Consent Orders
Monsur Akinsanmi, Hillside, NJ
Order #E13-114
Respondent created and submitted false automobile insurance policy declaration pages to an insurance company for six applicants to show prior coverage when no such prior coverage existed.
Sanction: Fine - $10,000
Ryan Jude Carr, Franklinville, NJ
Order #E13-113, October 23, 2013
Respondent failed to report the revocation by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities of his exemption to the registration requirements for misappropriation of investor funds and making false and misleading statements in the offer and sale of securities.
Sanction: Revocation
David Pomerantz, Englewood, FL
Order #E13-110, October 11, 2013
Respondent sold, solicited or negotiated a life insurance policy for a New Jersey resident while not licensed, failed to disclose on the application that a replacement was involved, made misleading statements to induce the applicant to terminate her current policy and failed to notify the Department of a consent order entered into with Pennsylvania Department of Insurance.
Sanction: Revocation
Anthony Pugliese and Anthony Pugliese Agency, Inc., East Brunswick, NJ
Order #E13-112, October 23, 2013
Respondents indirectly caused to be disseminated an automobile insurance circular with misleading statements that failed to identify the relationship between the producer and the insurer.
Sanction: Fine - $1,000
Order Suspending License Pending Administrative Proceedings
Jordan L. Zemlock, Wrightstown, NJ and Jay Zee Financial Group, Morganville, NJ
Order #E13-107, October 7, 2013
Respondent was convicted of theft by failure to make required disposition of property received, a felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1033 (e) (2), Respondent cannot engage in the business of insurance until he obtains a written waiver from the Commissioner and no such wavier has been requested or granted.
Sanction: Immediate suspension of license pending completion of administrative proceedings and entry of a Final Order |
| |
| September |
Final Orders
Leland Grossman and Lee Grossman Insurance Agency, Medford, NJ
Order #E13-86, September 3, 2013
Respondents misappropriated premium from 19 insureds and made 42 transfers of funds from the premium trust account to payroll and operating accounts in order to pay expenses.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $105,000 and Costs - $250
Joseph Schifano, Brick, NJ
Order #E13-94, September 11, 2013
Respondent induced 32 individuals to surrender annuity contracts and purchase promissory notes without the requisite due diligence or knowledge, misrepresented said notes as “secured” investments when they were not, failed to notify the Department of a judgment against him obtained by the NJ Bureau of Securities and failed to respond to a Department subpoena.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $335,000 and Costs - $2,529.50
Conditional Order Revoking License
Comprehensive Benefit Consultants, Inc., Melville, NY
Order #E13-89, September 4, 2013
Respondent is charged with failing to file its 2012 audited annual report.
Sanctions: Revocation of third party administrator license unless, within 30 days, respondent files its 2012 audited annual report and pays a fine of $5,000.
Orders to Show Cause
Louis A. Capazzi, Jr., Harrington Park, NJ and East Coast Title Services, Inc., Oradell, NJ
Order #E13-95, September 17, 2013
Respondents are charged with failing to abide by the terms of their agency agreement with NJ Title, commingling premium funds and failing to hold premium funds in a fiduciary capacity, misappropriation of premium, failing to timely issue and deliver title insurance policies, and with failing to respond to a Department subpoena.
Tori N. Kelly, City Island and Bronx, NY, Kevin M. Taylor, Pelham and Bronx, NY and Premium Adjusters, Inc., City Island, NY
Order #E13-105, September 27, 2013
Respondents are charged with acting as public adjusters in New Jersey without being licensed as public adjusters.
Alvaro S. Kerr, Glen Ridge and Bloomfield, NJ and ALCO Financial Group LLC, Glen Ridge and Montclair, NJ
Order #E13-102, September 20, 2013
Respondents are charged with filing to pay a fine levied under a prior Consent Order and failing to respond to the Department’s inquiries.
James T. Leonard, Garwood, NJ
Order #E13-92, September 6, 2013
Respondent is charged with fraudulently completing an auto insurance ID card so as to falsely show that his daughter had existing coverage prior to the impounding of her vehicle, with presenting the fraudulent insurance ID card to the police in order to have the vehicle released from impound, with preparing and submitting an online insurance application in the name of his daughter with false information in an attempt to secure back-dated coverage, with failing to notify the Department of his arrest for criminal production of a simulated motor vehicle insurance identity card, and with failing to make child support payments.
Ashley Rae Lightner, Roanoke and Indianapolis, IN
Order #E13-104, September 27, 2013
Respondent is charged with forging an applicant’s signature on an insurance application, applying for insurance without the applicant’s knowledge or consent, authorizing payment of the premium for said application through a VISA credit card issued to a different client, failing to notify the Department of actions taken against her by other insurance departments and with failing to respond to the Department’s inquiries.
Justin L. McKinnon, Hesperia and Fremont, MI
Order #E13-98, September 19, 2013
Respondent is charged with commission of second degree home invasion and failing to notify the Department of the filing of criminal charges against him and of his conviction.
Robert Allen Stein, Winthrop, MA and New York, NY and AAS Insurance Brokerage of New York, Inc., New York, NY
Order #E13-96, September 17, 2013
Respondents are charged with misappropriation of premium and with failing to respond to the Department’s inquiries.
Bradford M. Scaccetti, Fort Lauderdale, FL and Newtown, PA and All Claims Adjuster, LLC, Fort Lauderdale, FL and Newtown, PA
Order #E13-100, September 19, 2013
Respondents are charged with sending one set of solicitations that failed to identify respondents as public adjusters, that misrepresented that recipients of the solicitations were insured by respondents and needed to contact respondents regarding flood claims resulting from Superstorm Sandy, with sending another set of solicitations that indicated that respondents had confidential information regarding the recipients’ Hurricane Sandy claims, with failing to respond to the Department’s inquiries and with failing to reveal on their New Jersey public adjuster license applications that Florida had suspended Mr. Scaccetti’s public adjuster license and fined him $1,500.
Patricia K. Tropea, Brick, NJ
Order #E13-101, September 20, 2013
Respondent is charged with failing to advise a client in an annuity replacement transaction that no surrender charge would be levied if he maintained the current annuity for an additional 14 months.
Jordan L. Zemlock, Wrightstown, NJ and Jay Zee Financial Group, Morganville, NJ
Orders #E13-90 and 91, September 6, 2013
Respondents are charged with conviction of theft by failure to make required disposition of property as a result of premium theft, with failing to disclose the charges on a renewal application, and with failing to report the indictment and conviction to the Department. Immediate suspension pursuant to 18 USC 1033 (e) is sought pending completion of administrative proceedings.
Consent Orders
Marshall Perlman and ClaimStar, Inc., Bala Cynwyd, PA
Order #E13-88, September 6, 2013
Respondent was convicted of felony third degree theft for failing to make the required disposition of insurance claim checks he received while conducting public adjuster business in Pennsylvania, entered into public adjuster contracts with New Jersey claimants that did not contain required items, and charged fees for public adjuster services that were not reasonably related to the services performed.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine – should respondents seek reinstatement of their public adjuster licenses, a fine of $20,000 must be paid and fees capped at 20% or any lower amount required by law.
Joseph Shammah and Northeast Claims Group, LLC, West Long Branch, NJ
Order #E13-97, September 19, 2013
Respondents made misleading statements of material fact in connection with a claim for insurance benefits
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $7,500 and Surcharge - $500
James V. Struss, Philip Eneo Teseo and PJP Health Agency Inc., Melville, NY
Order #E13-99, September 19, 2013
Respondents sold association memberships combined with individual health benefit plans and intentionally misrepresented that said individual health plans were available only to persons who purchased an association membership, charged fees and costs that were not disclosed on the individual health plan application form, circulated deception and misleading advertisements, altered the billing address on the individual health benefit plan application forms, deposited premium in an account other than a premium trust account, failed to timely remit premium, failed to maintain accurate books and records, enrolled New Jersey residents in a non-complying individual health benefits plan through another association, and failed to notify the Department of an action taken against them by Michigan.
Sanction: Permanent surrender including permanent ban on being affiliated or employed in any manner with any entity or person licensed as an insurance producer, Restitution - $389,728.04
United States Fire Insurance Company, Morristown, NJ
Order #E13-87, September 4, 2013
Respondent sold non-complying individual health benefit plans to New Jersey residents.
Sanctions: Fine - $90,000, Restitution – Company will pay refunds to New Jersey residents to comply with an 80% minimum loss ratio. |
| |
| August |
Orders to Show Cause
Michael W. Keleher, Freehold and Kenilworth, NJ
Order to Show Cause #E13-81, August 29, 2013
Respondent is charged with fraudulently inducing individuals to surrender and replace existing annuities, with executing unauthorized securities transactions in clients’ accounts, with opening brokerage accounts for clients without the clients’ consent, with withdrawing funds from an annuity without the client’s consent, and with surrendering and replacing an annuity without client consent.
Asma Norris, Chester, NJ
Order to Show Cause #E13-82, August 30, 2013
Respondent is charged with misrepresenting the nature and scope of policies and annuities sold to clients, with failing to conduct a comprehensive policy review on delivery of the policy, with misrepresenting to a client that purchase of an annuity would assist in qualifying for a government program and that the client would have unfettered and penalty free access to funds held in the annuity, and with forging a client signature and misrepresenting information on an annuity suitability questionnaire.
Consent Orders
Alberto J. Albino, Woodbridge, NJ and Race 2 U Bail Bonds, Edison, NJ
Consent Order #E13-76, August 19, 2013
Respondents solicited bail bonds under the business entity name before the business entity was licensed as an insurance producer.
Sanctions: Fine - $1,500
Carmine Marino and TVT Agency, LLC, Lincroft, NJ
Consent Order #E13-84, August 22, 2013
Respondent failed to issue and deliver a title insurance policy to a lien holder while conducting title insurance business and failed to respond to a Department inquiry.
Sanctions: Fine - $3,000
Carl A. Martorana, Lynhurst, NJ
Consent Order #E13-79, August 19, 2013
Respondent caused, permitted or was otherwise responsible for the placement of two client signatures on Medicare enrollment forms without the individuals’ knowledge or consent.
Sanctions: Fine - $5,000
Medical Management Services Inc., Hazlet, NJ
Consent Order #E13-83, August 30, 2013
Respondent acted as a third party billing service when not certified to do so.
Sanctions: Fine - $1,000
Reliable Medical Billing, LLC, Hackensack, NJ
Consent Order #E13-80, August 29, 2013
Respondent acted as a third party billing service when not certified to do so.
Sanctions: Fine - $1,000
Kenneth D. Silverman, Babylon, NY
Consent Order #E13-85, August 30, 2013
Respondent caused, permitted or was otherwise responsible for misrepresenting the age of a New Jersey resident on an annuity application.
Sanctions: Fine - $5,000
Daniel V. Tumminia, Monroe, NJ
Consent Order #E13-77, August 13, 2013
Respondent was convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud as a result of diverting pension and profit sharing checks and life insurance premium payments and using the diverted funds for personal expenditures.
Sanctions: Revocation
Steven D. Venook and Advocate Claims Public Adjusters, Inc., Coconut Creek, FL
Consent Order #E13-75, August 19, 2013
Respondent Advocate Claims Public Adjusters, Inc. solicited public adjuster business and signed a public adjuster contract while not licensed as a public adjuster.
Sanctions: Fine - $2,000
Jeffrey A. Wolff and Premier 1st Corporation, Miami Beach, FL
Consent Order #E13-78, August 19, 2013
Respondents entered in to 41 public adjuster contracts which did not contain required provisions.
Sanctions: Fine - $500 |
| |
| July |
Orders to Show Cause
Richard Cecere and Buyer Defender, Inc., Montclair, NJ
Order to Show Cause #E13-64, July 8, 2013
Respondent is charged with failure to remit and misappropriation of premium, failure to maintain records and commingling of premium and other funds.
Kevin H. Gavigan, Millville, NJ
Order to Show Cause #E13-63, July 8, 2013
Respondent is charged with falsifying requests to withdraw funds from annuities, forging annuity owner names on said requests and on the insurance company checks issued in response to the withdrawal requests, with misappropriating the proceeds of the withdrawals, and with conviction of theft by deception in the third degree based upon his theft of annuity withdrawal proceeds.
Christopher Hildebrandt and Secure Title Inc., Toms River, NJ
Order to Show Cause #E13-68, July 15, 2013
Respondents are charged with theft of funds they held in escrow following a real estate closing, with failing to maintain separate records of funds held in escrow, with commingling escrow funds with other funds and with failing to respond to Department inquiries.
Conditional Order Revoking License
Managed Benefit Plans, Inc., Hackettstown, NJ
Order #E13-74, July 24, 2012
Respondent, a third party administrator, is charged with failing to file its 2012 audited annual report.
Sanctions: Revocation, subject to retroactive reinstatement provided the 2012 audited annual report is filed within 30 days and fine of $5000 is paid.
Consent Orders
Christine Clemans and Chris Clemans Sotheby’s International Realty, Cape May, NJ
Consent Order #E13-69, July 15, 2013
Respondents sold travel insurance and were paid commissions while not licensed as insurance producers.
Sanctions: Disgorgement of commissions of $9,165.34
Cook Insurance Services, Inc., Brooklyn, NY
Consent Order #E13-65, July 15, 2013
Respondent failed to report an administrative action taken against it by the New York Insurance Department and incorrectly answered a question on its license renewal application regarding involvement in administrative proceedings.
Sanctions: Fine - $1,000
Customized Service Administrators, San Diego, CA
Consent Order #E13-66, July 15, 2013
Respondent improperly paid commissions for the sale of insurance to an entity that was not licensed as an insurance producer.
Sanctions: Fine - $5,000
Precision Medical Facility, Cliffside Park, NJ
Consent Order #E13-73, July 24, 2013
Respondent acted as a third party billing service when not certified to do so.
Sanctions: Fine - $1,000
Joseph S. Testa, III, Richland, NJ
Consent Order #E13-70, July 19, 2013
Respondent was convicted of two counts of criminal sexual contact.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $1,000
|
| |
| June |
Orders to Show Cause
Natalie Mera, Weehawkin and Fairfield, NJ
Order to Show Cause #E13-62, June 24, 2013
Respondent is charged with obtaining insurance for an employer without the knowledge or consent of the employer, including false and misleading statements on an insurance application and enrollment forms, forging the employer’s signature on forms submitted to the insurer, enrolling persons in the plan who were not employees, falsely stating to the insurer that such persons were employees, and failing to notify the Department of her indictment for forgery.
Thomas A. Lamparillo and Reliant Abstract and Settlement, Inc., Hillsdale, NJ
Order to Show Cause #E13-59, June 11, 2013
Respondents are charged with failing to properly disburse funds as part of a closing, failing to abide by the terms of their agency agreement with a title insurance company, failing to respond to a Department inquiry and subpoena, failing to return funds due to homeowners for a refinancing, failing to record mortgage documents for closings in which they acted as settlement agents, and misappropriation of title insurance premium.
Consent Orders
Babarotimi B. Adetula and Unique Brokerage, Inc., Maplewood, NJ
Consent Order #E13-56, June 4, 2013
Respondents issued deficient premium receipts and charged an insured a fee for services not rendered.
Sanctions: Fine - $1,500
John J. DeVirgilio, Hazlet, NJ
Consent Order #E13-61, June 24, 2013
Respondent submitted a check for a license renewal fee which was not honored.
Sanctions: Revocation
Joel Pruzansky, Clifton, NJ
Consent Order #E13-55, June 4, 2013
Respondent improperly submitted applications for small employer health coverage for businesses and individuals that did not qualify for such coverage.
Sanctions: Fine - $35,000
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Hartford, CT
Consent Order #E13-60, June 24, 2013
Respondent improperly denied 4,225 claims for dental services from October 2009 to July 2013.
Sanctions: Fine - $117,500 |
| |
| May |
Final Orders
Larsen Global Marine, Inc., Virginia Larsen and William Larsen, Westfield, NJ
Order #E13-49, May 21, 2013
Respondents failed to remit and/or misappropriated premium and respondent Virginia Larsen was convicted of theft by failure to make required disposition of property received based on the misappropriation of premium.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $35,000 with additional $20,000 fine on Virginia Larsen, Restitution by Virginia Larsen of $70,000 and Costs - $325
Orders to Show Cause
Karl V. Brown and Guaranteed Bail Bonds, Elizabeth, NJ
Order #E13-51, May 29, 2013
Respondents are charged with failing to return collateral on a bail bond, with forging an insured’s name on a check from the surety company for the return of collateral, with improperly cashing said check and retaining the proceeds, with failure to respond to a Department inquiry, and respondent Karl Brown is charged with being indicted for theft by deception and failure to make required disposition of property based on the failure to return said collateral.
Joseph S. Testa, III, Richland, NJ
Order #E13-45, May 8, 2013
Respondent is charged with being convicted of criminal sexual contact and failing to report his indictment and conviction to the Department.
United States Fire Insurance Company, Cedar Rapids, IA
Order #E13-47, May 16, 2013
Respondent is charged with selling individual health benefits plans to New Jersey residents that do not comply with the Individual Health Coverage Act, with falsely advertising the benefits available under such plans and with failing to accurately respond to Department inquiries.
Consent Orders
Aetna Health Inc. (a New Jersey Corporation) and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Blue Bell, PA and Aetna Life Insurance Company, Hartford, CT
Order #E13-41, May 3, 2013
Respondents improperly denied and delayed processing of claims for chiropractic services, provided incorrect information to members and providers regarding where to submit claims, what services require prior authorization and who is responsible for payment of a $3 processing fee, and failed to promptly and accurately respond to Department inquiries.
Sanction: Fine - $850,000
J. Alden Associates, Inc., Jenkintown, PA
Order #E13-50, May 21, 2013
Respondent failed to report a FINRA sanction and improperly indicated on a license renewal application that it had not been named in an administrative proceeding, including a FINRA sanction.
Sanction: Fine - $1,000
All Property Adjustment Services, Inc. and Dennis Molette, Springfield, PA
Order #E13-53, May 29, 2013
Respondent All Property Adjustment Services, Inc. entered into public adjuster service contracts in New Jersey while not licensed as a public adjuster and respondents made untrue, deceptive and or misleading statements with respect to the licenses status of All Property Adjustment Services, Inc.
Sanction: Fine - $5,000
Big Lou’s Bail Bonds, LLC, Jersey City, NJ and Martin Melendez, Ridgefield Park, NJ
Order #E13-44, May 3, 2013
Respondents failed to timely return collateral for a bail bond, failed to supervise the employees involved in the matter and failed to promptly and accurately respond to Department inquiries and/or failed to maintain books and records of insurance transactions.
Sanction: Fine - $10,000
Claims Strategies Group, LLC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jose Garcia, Miami, FL, Cesar Marin, Tampa, FL and Frank Santoro, Neptune, NJ
Order #E13-42, May 3, 2013
Respondent Claims Strategies Group, LLC entered into public adjuster service contracts while not licensed as a public adjuster in New Jersey, made untrue, deceptive and/or misleading statements as to the licensing status of Claims Strategies Group, LLC and used untrue, deceptive and/or misleading statements in advertisements.
Sanctions: Fine - $2,500 and Restitution
Lisa A. Fisher, Philadelphia, PA
Order #E13-52, May 29, 2013
Respondent forged a signature on a block transfer agreement and submitted the forged document to an insurer.
Sanction: Fine - $5,000
Santo Locascio, Elmwood Park, NJ
Order #E13-48, May 21, 2013
Respondent misapplied premium and a policy loan payment to the accounts of policyholders other than those who paid the funds.
Sanction: Fine - $2,500
John M. Scirocco, Jr., Old Tappan, NJ
Order #E13-43, May 3, 2013
Respondent was responsible for the conduct of an employee who issued a certificate of insurance showing a party as an additional named insured when such party was not an additional named insured and failed to maintain accurate books, records and files for this insurance transaction.
Sanction: Fine - $5,000
Stout Title, Inc., Collingswood, NJ and Emily Dehaven, Haddon Township, NJ
Order #E13-46, May 8, 2012
Respondents failed to satisfy instructions for disposition of escrow funds held as part of a real estate closing, failed to produce or maintain records pertaining to said transaction and failed to deposit the funds in a separate trust or escrow account.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500 |
| |
| April |
Orders to Show Cause
Sharon P. Agbavor, Jamaica Estates, NY
Order to Show Cause #E13-35, April 12, 2013
Respondent is charged with conviction of theft by unlawful taking of moveable property and failing to report an indictment and conviction to the Commissioner.
Consent Orders
Richard R. Billera, Staten Island, NY
Order #E13-39, April 18, 2013
Respondent knowingly submitted an application with false and misleading statements as to the state in which the application was solicited and signed.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500
Empower Brokerage, Inc. and Rodney B. Culp, Ft. Worth, TX
Order #E13-31, April 4, 2013
Respondents failed to disclose an administrative action on an application for a producer license.
Sanction: Fine - $250
Richard A. Mahler II, Staten Island, NY
Order #E13-33, April 4, 2013
Respondent knowingly submitted two applications with false and misleading statements as to the state in which the applications were solicited and signed.
Sanction: Fine - $2,500
Richard A. Mahler III, Staten Island, NY
Order #E13-36, April 4, 2013
Respondent knowingly submitted an application with false and misleading statements as to the state in which the application was signed and solicited.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500
Douglas Smith, Hackettstown, NJ
Order #E13-32, April 4, 2013
Respondent improperly signed a suitability acknowledgment form and falsely certified that he had met with an applicant, verified her identity and delivery the annuity.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500
Lucas E. Suydam, Beach Haven, NJ
Order #E13-40, April 24, 2013
Respondent signed the names of two applicants to insurance illustration forms without their knowledge or consent.
Sanction: Fine - $2,000
Sheila M. Zullo, Green Brook, NJ
Order #E13-30, April 1, 2013
Respondent was convicted of third degree Money Laundering arising from the illegal distribution of loan funds while acting as an escrow agent.
Sanction: Revocation |
| |
| March |
Final Orders
Janet R. Hohn, East Brunswick, NJ
Order #E13-24, March 18, 2013
Respondent submitted an application to CAIP that she knew contained false information as to the address of the business, the identity of the business owner and the identity of the vehicle operator. Respondent falsely indicated that she witnessed the applicant’s signature, which signature she knew to be forged.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $11,000, Attorney’s Fees - $7,377.50 and Costs - $1,775
Orders to Show Cause
Lisa Ann Costello, Franklin Lakes, NJ and Lodi, NJ
Anthony M. Costello, Sr., Franklin Lakes, NJ
Costello & Associates, Lodi, NJ
Order #E13-27, March 20 2013
Lisa Ann Costello and Costello & Associates are charged with employing Anthony M. Costello, Sr. following the revocation of his insurance producer license and utilizing Anthony M. Costello, Sr.’s name in advertising and other documents following revocation of his insurance producer license. Anthony M. Costello, Sr. is charged with working in an insurance agency following the revocation of his insurance producer license. Lisa Ann Costello, Anthony M. Costello, Sr. and Costello & Associates, Inc. are charged with failing to respond to the department’s request for information.
Christine E. Dix, Spotswood, NJ
Richard Fischer, Parsippany, NJ
Personalized Insurance Planning, LLC, Parsippany, NJ
Order #E13-28, March 20, 2013
Respondents are charged with submitting an application for small employer health coverage and related documents that they knew contained false information as to the number of employees of the applicant and their work location.
Larsen Global Marine, Inc., Westfield, NJ
Virginia Larsen, Westfield, NJ
William Larsen, Westfield, NJ
Order #E13-25, March 20, 2013
Respondents are charged with repeatedly failing to remit and misappropriation of premium. Virginia Larsen is charged with failing to report an indictment and subsequent conviction of theft arising from her misappropriation of premium.
Aquiles F. Novillo, Dover, NJ
All Business Insurance Managers, Inc., Dover, NJ
Order #E13-26, March 20, 2013
Respondents are charged with failing to report criminal indictments and a conviction to the Department, with the conviction of All Business Managers, Inc. for tampering with public records by falsifying insurance documents, and with making false statements on their producer license renewal applications.
Consent Orders
Nelson Gonzalez, Mercerville, NJ
Bandit Bail Bonds, Trenton, NJ
Order #E13-23, March 14, 2013
Respondents failed to timely return collateral following the discharge of bail.
Sanctions: Fine - $4,000 and Costs - $675
John Padilla, Newtown, PA
Order #E13-29, March 20, 2013
Respondent submitted a change of broker form that failed to contain the genuine signature of the insured, failed to maintain records, and failed to notify the Commissioner of actions taken against him by the NASD and the New York Department of Insurance.
Sanction: Fine - $3,000
Nilda Rodriguez, Philadelphia, PA
Order #E13-21, March 8, 2013
Respondent procured flood and homeowners insurance for an applicant prior to being licensed and erroneously obtained coverage for only one of two dwellings for which the applicant requested coverage.
Sanction: Fine - $4,000
Maureen R. Stillwell, Somerville, NJ
Order #E13-22, March 14, 2013
Respondent was convicted of second degree money laundering as a result of the illegal distribution of loan funds and preparation of false closing documents.
Sanction: Revocation
Francis J. Winterle, Philadelphia, PA
Jersey Central Insurance Agency Inc., Gloucester City, NJ
Order #E13-20, March 8, 2013
Respondent used advertisements that falsely indicated that a person was licensed.
Sanction: Fine - $1,000 |
| |
| February |
Final Orders
Ezekiel A. Peduto, Fort Lee, NJ and American Bail Bond Associates, Fort Lee, NJ
Order #E13-17, February 25, 2013
Respondent failed to return excess premium, charged improper and excessive fees, failed to respond to a Department subpoena and failed to advise the Department of new residence and business addresses.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $15,000 and Costs - $725
Orders to Show Cause
Mark C. Donohue, Jr., Wenonah, NJ and Arbor Title Agents, Inc., Wenonah, NJ
Order #E13-15, February, 2013
Respondents are charged with failing to properly disburse funds held in escrow following a real estate closing, commingling of funds which were supposed to be held in escrow, misappropriation of escrow funds, and failing to respond to a Department inquiry.
Edward Furfey, Pennington, NJ, Jeffrey Barker Gibbs, Princeton, NJ and Clear Advantage Title, Inc., Hamilton, NJ
Order #E13-14, February 19, 2013
Respondents are charged with commingling premium, failing to hold premium and closing funds in escrow, misappropriation of premium and settlement funds, forgery, failing to deliver title insurance policies and failing to respond to a Department subpoena.
Annmarie O’Neill, Gilbertsville, PA and Senior Seminar Services, Inc., Gilbertsville, NJ
Order #E13-13, February 19, 2013
Respondents are charged with selling, soliciting and negotiating insurance while not licensed, employing unlicensed persons to sell, solicit and negotiate insurance, failing to report a branch office to the Department, improper use of a professional designation, misrepresentation of the terms of in force annuities, making misleading, incomplete and fraudulent statements about in force annuities, making false statements on applications for annuities, failing to obtain information relevant to the suitability of an annuity, taking physical possession of a client’s financial records, including checks, writing checks from a client’s account for personal expenses and harassing a client.
Consent Orders
Maria Ciocco, Medford, NJ
Order #E13-12, February 11, 2013
Respondent submitted annuity applications that misstated the state in which the applications were signed and failed to satisfy or vacate two judgments for state taxes.
Sanction: Fine - $3,000
Rosemary Hernandez, Maple Shade, NJ
Order #E13-19, February 28, 2013
Respondent submitted an application for automobile insurance knowing that the applicant was deceased.
Sanction: Fine - $5,000
Maria L. Ljuba, Key Largo, FL
Order #E13-18, February 26, 2013
Respondent paid bribes, including straw contributions, to government officials in order to be selected broker for health insurance contracts by local government entities.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $75,000
John M. Norcia, Seaside Park, NJ
Order #E13-16, February 19, 2013
Respondent failed to advise a client who was replacing an annuity of the provisions of the protection clause endorsement of the in force annuity.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500 |
| |
| January |
Final Orders
John Martosella, Medford, NJ
Order #E13-08, January 17, 2013
Respondent failed to respond to an Order to Show Cause charging him with submitting annuity and life insurance applications without the authorization of the purported applicants, with submitting annuity and life applications with false information, with providing fictitious checks in support of said applications and with commission of insurance fraud.
Sanctions: Revocation, Fine - $105,000 and Restitution - $1,974
Orders to Show Cause
Thomas Dobrek, Bordentown, NJ
Order #E13-01, January 2, 2013
Respondent is charged with violating the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act by making false statements to an insurance company representative regarding an automobile accident and by assisting his wife in making false statements to an insurance company representative regarding said accident.
Maria Ljuba, Vineland, NJ and Middletown, DE and Key Largo, FL
Order #E13-06, January 17, 2013
Respondent is charged with paying bribes, including straw contributions, to government officials in order to be selected broker for health insurance contracts by local government entities.
Consent Orders
Robert J. Bishop, Egg Harbor, NJ and Equity Title Agency, Inc., Egg Harbor, NJ
Order #E13-02, January 3, 2013
Respondents failed to supervise employees who diverted monies from various trust accounts and sub-accounts of Equity Title Agency, Inc. and failed to produce or maintain records.
Sanction: Revocation of license of Equity Title Agency, Inc., Fine - $2,500 against Equity Title Agency, Inc. and $2,500 against Robert J. Bishop
Orlando Frasca, Danville, CA
Order #E13-10, January 21, 2013
Respondent failed to report a consent agreement with the California Insurance Department and improperly answered the question on his license renewal application regarding involvement in administrative proceedings.
Sanction: Fine - $1,000
Linda Johnson, Philadelphia, PA
Order #E13-09, January 29, 2013
Respondent failed to report a consent agreement with the Delaware Department of Insurance and failed to notify the Department of a residential address change.
Sanction: Fine - $1,000
Physician Office Partners, Overland Park, KS
Order #E13-05, January 9, 2013
Respondent acted as a third party billing service for a provider group in New Jersey when it was not certified as a third party billing service.
Sanction: Fine - $1,000
Boris P. Salazar, Paterson, NJ
Order #E13-07, January 17, 2013
Respondent submitted a Medicare Advantage application for an individual who did not apply for the coverage or sign the application.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500
Lucille M. Sharpe, Philadelphia, PA
Order #E13-03, January 2, 2013
Respondent fraudulently processed and submitted applications for seven persons without their knowledge or consent and failed to provide said applications in response to Department inquiries.
Sanction: Revocation
Paul Stawinski, New York, NY
Order #E13-04, January 9, 2013
Respondent co-signed and submitted an insurance application that falsely stated that he had witnessed the applicant’s signature and failed to report a consent order with the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Sanctions: Fine - $2,000 |
|
