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Home > Insurance Division > Enforcement Activity |
2021 Division of Insurance Enforcement Activity |
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Please Note: P.L. 2013, c. 259 became effective on July 1, 2014. This law amended the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 52:14B-1 et seq. One of the amendments requires all state agencies to post on their websites all non-confidential final agency orders, decisions and opinions. Accordingly, all such final agency orders or decisions in disciplinary actions issued subsequent to July 1, 2014 may be accessed by clicking on the link within the summaries below. Orders or decisions issued on such matters prior to July 1, 2014 are available upon request to the Division of Insurance. |
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December |
Consent Orders
Advantage Behavioral Health Services, Laurel Springs, NJ
Order #E21-52, December 1, 2021
Respondent acted as a third-party billing service prior to being certified by the Commissioner as a third-party billing service.
Sanction: Fine - $1,700
Clear Blue Insurance Company, Chicago, Il
Order #E21-55, December 8, 2021
Respondent nonrenewed homeowners policies based on new underwriting guidelines without filing a plan of block nonrenewal.
Sanction: Fine - $331,275
Comprehensive Billing Consultants, LLC, Hayes, VA
Order #E21-53, December 6, 2021
Respondent acted as a third-party billing service prior to being certified by the Commissioner as a third-party billing service.
Sanction: Fine - $13,500
EZBIND, Inc., Phoenix, AZ
Order #E21-56, December 13, 2021
Respondent charged a service fee between 2016 and 2020 without entering into a written fee agreement with insureds.
Sanction: Fine - $112, 500
Delia Lliguicota, Belleville, NJ
Order #E21-51, December 1, 2021
Respondent knowingly provided false and misleading statements to her automobile insurer in connection with an automobile insurance claim.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $2,500 for Producer Act violations, $2,500 for Fraud Act violations
Seek Insurance Services, Florahome, FL
Order #E21-54, December 7, 2021
Respondent failed to disclose its affiliation with Clover Insurance Company upon initial contact with prospective applicants.
Sanction: Fine - $12,000 |
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November |
Orders to Show Cause
Calvin Butterworth, Key West, FL
Order #E21-48, November 16, 2021
Respondent is charged with improperly charging a service fee without obtaining the required written agreement to six insureds.
Michael Ray Matos, Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Order #E21-47, November 16, 2021
Respondent is charged with failing to notify the Commissioner of actions taken against him by FINRA and the New Jersey Bureau of Securities and with failing to respond to a Department inquiry.
Consent Orders
A & J Billing Services LLC, Willingboro, NJ
Melissa Burnett, Willingboro, NJ
Kashamba E. Busby, Willingboro, NJ
Order #E21-49, November 29, 2021
Respondents acted as a third-party billing service without being certified by the Commissioner as a third-party billing service.
Sanction: Fine - $32,300
VillageMD New Jersey, LLC, Chicago, Il
Order #E21-50, November 30, 2021
Respondent acted as a third-party billing service prior to being certified by the Commissioner as a third-party billing service.
Sanction: Fine - $1,800 |
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September |
Final Order
Ronald M. Patetta, Manahawkin, NJ
Order #E21-44, September 27, 2021
Respondent was convicted of felony tax evasion, failed to notify the Commissioner within thirty days of his conviction of felony tax evasion, failed to obtain the written consent of the Commissioner before he engaged or participated in the business of insurance after he was convicted of felony tax evasion and failed to disclose his conviction and voluntary surrender of his producer license on his producer license renewal applications.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $10,000, Costs - $950
Order Amending Final Order
Hany Shehata, West Orange, NJ
Order #E21-45, September 27, 2021
Final Order #E19-80 revoked respondent’s producer license and fined him $25,000 for failing to inform a client that his policy was cancelled, failing to forward the refunded premium to the client within five days and failing to maintain a trust account. The Appellate Division upheld the revocation but remanded the matter to the Commissioner for consideration of the Kimmelman factors in calculating the penalty.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $20,000
Order to Show Cause
Julio Nosta, Saddle Brook, NJ
JN Insurance Agency, LLC, Saddle Brook, NJ
Order #E21-43, September 17, 2021
Respondents are charged with improperly charging a service fee without obtaining the required written agreement and improperly charging a service fee for services rendered in the sale or service of health insurance.
Consent Orders
Marie K. Holcombe, Somerdale, NJ
Order #E21-42, September 16, 2021
Respondent made misstatements on her automobile insurance application.
Sanction: Fine -$1,500
Yuyi Kong, Fort Lee, NJ
Order #E21-40, September 13, 2021
Respondent falsely attested that she witnessed signatures on life insurance applications.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500
Dean Rado, Lanoka Harbor, NJ
Order #E21-41, September 16, 2021
Respondent submitted applications which falsely stated that the applicants were employees of a certain company.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $5,000 ($2,500 for Producer Act violations and $2,500 for Fraud Act violations)
Anthony G. Sarra, Lavallette, NJ
Order #E21-46, September 27, 2021
Respondent failed to timely remit FICA, state unemployment and state disability taxes for three employees of his insurance agency.
Sanction: Fine - $25,000 |
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August |
Final Order
Construction, Investigations & Adjustments, LLC, Paulsboro, NJ
Gene Mehmel, Paulsboro, NJ
Order #E21-36, August 19, 2021
Respondents entered into public adjuster contracts when Construction, Investigations & Adjustments, LLC was not licensed as a public adjuster, used public adjuster contracts that did not contain required cancellation provisions and that did not clearly define the amount or extent of Respondent’s compensation, charged fees that were not reasonably related to the services rendered, and failed to maintain an interest-bearing escrow or trust account.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $143,500, Restitution - $26,961.49 and Costs - $2,900
Orders to Show Cause
Adam T. Baals, Jr., Woodbury, NJ
Jacquelyne M. McGlinchey, Ruskin, FL
Order #E21-35, August 16, 2021
Respondents are charged with fraudulently submitting annuity applications with the forged signatures of a senior citizen lacking mental capacity as part of a scheme by a family member to change the senior citizen’s estate plan.
Farrukh Siddiqui, Tampa, FL
Zayan Takaful, LLC, Princeton, NJ
Order #E21-38, August 25, 2021
Respondents are charged with conducting insurance business after the expiration of the producer license of Zayan Takaful, LLC.
Consent Orders
Nancy G. Belok, Poughkeepsie, NY
Order #E21-33, August 9, 2021
Respondent operated as a third party billing service prior to being certified as a third party billing service.
Sanction: Fine -$32,260
Harry J. Buckman, Jr., Shrewsbury, NJ
Buckman, Buckman & Reid, Inc., Little Silver, NJ
Order #E21-34, August 12, 2021
Respondents failed to report disciplinary actions taken against them by FINRA and the New Jersey Bureau of Securities.
Sanction: Fine - $32,500
Josh McClain Hagelin, Harve De Grace, MD
Order #E21-37, August 24, 2021
Respondent conducted business as an insurance producer after his license expired.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500
Lee C. Satanoff, Wayne, PA
Satanoff Insurance & Financial Services Agency, LLC, Wayne, PA
Order #E21-32, August 3, 2021
Respondents caused, permitted or were otherwise responsible for allowing an unlicensed employee to conduct insurance business.
Sanction: Fine - $9,000 |
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July |
Order to Show Cause
Fernando Acosta, Nutley, NJ
Order #E21-29, July 20, 2021
Respondent is charged with adding his spouse’s name as the payee on two client checks intended to purchase annuities, depositing the checks in a personal bank account and misappropriating the funds.
Consent Orders
D.B.M.E., Inc., Poughkeepsie, NY
Order #E2-31, July 27, 2021
Respondent operated as a third party billing service prior to being certified as a third party billing service.
Sanction: Fine -$8,600
Jonathan Wong, Monroe, NJ
Order #E21-27, July 6, 2021
Respondent submitted six applications for insurance after his insurance producer license expired.
Sanction: Fine - $1,500
Workit Health, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI
Order #E21-30, July 27, 2021
Respondent operated as a third party billing service prior to being certified as a third party billing service.
Sanction: Fine - $3,475 |
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June |
Consent Order
ElectroBills, LLC, Lakewood, NJ
Order #E21-25, June 3, 2021
Respondent operated as a third party billing service prior to being certified by the Commissioner as a third party billing service.
Sanction: Fine - $219,050
Order to Show Cause
Earnest Kitchens, Edison, NJ
Kitchens Affordable Bail Bonds, LLC, Edison, NJ
Order #E21-26, June 14, 2021
Respondents are charged with improperly withholding and/or converting premium for a bail bond that was not issued. |
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May |
Consent Orders
Samantha Jill Lompado, Pennington, NJ
Order #E21-23, May 28, 2021
Respondent falsely attested that she witnessed a signature on life insurance applications.
Sanction: Fine - $7,500 for Producer Act violations and $3,000 for Fraud Act violations.
MBAS Group LLC, Fairburn, GA
Order #E21-20, May 24, 2021
Respondent operated as a third party billing service prior to being certified by the Commissioner as a third party billing service.
Sanction: Fine - $2,000
Jagruiti D. Panwala, Ivyland, PA
Wealth Protection Strategies LLC, Bensalem, PA
Order #E21-24, May 28, 2021
Respondent’s employees falsely represented that they witnessed a signature on life insurance applications.
Sanction: Fine -$6,000
Orders to Show Cause
Heinz Cherilus, Phillipsburg, NJ
Order #E21-21, May 28, 2021
Respondent is charged with misstating the date of an automobile accident in a claim submitted to his automobile insurer.
Keith A. Ervin, Quakertown, PA
United Integrity Group, Inc., Quakertown, PA
Order #E21-22, May 28, 2021
Respondents are charged with disseminating an advertisement that failed to identify the name of the insurer and name of policy by form number or other description and that displayed rates that were inaccurate. |
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April |
Consent Order
The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ
Order #E21-17, April 27, 2021
A market conduct examination report revealed certain instances in which the Respondent’s processes and procedures did not comply with provisions of applicable statutes.
Sanction: Fine - $1.2 million
Orders to Show Cause
A & J Billing Services LLC, Willingboro, NJ
Melissa Burnett, Willingboro, NJ
Kashamba E. Busby, Willingboro, NJ
Order #E21-18, April 28, 2021
Respondents are charged with acting as a third party billing service without being certified by the Commissioner as a third billing service.
Paramount Public Adjusters, LLC, Miami, FL
Steven Baglio, Miami, FL
Matthew Charles Plietz, Miami, FL
Order #E21-16, April 12, 2021
Respondents Steven Baglio and Paramount Public Adjusters, LLC are charged with acting as public adjusters in New Jersey when not licensed as public adjusters. Respondent Matthew Charles Plietz is charged with falsely representing to New Jersey insureds that Paramount Public Adjusters, LLC was a licensed public adjuster in New Jersey. |
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March |
Final Orders
Shannon Renee Bellamy, Sicklerville, NJ
Advocate Public Adjusters, Clementon, NJ
Order #E21-10, March 9, 2021
Respondents entered into public adjuster contracts when Advocate Public Adjusters was not licensed, entered into public adjuster contracts during prohibited hours, used public adjuster contracts that did not contain required terms and conditions, and charged fees in excess of those specified in the contracts and that were not reasonably related to the services rendered.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $48,500, Restitution - $33,812.60 and Costs - $275
Kirti Shah, Parsippany, NJ
Order #E21-12, March 17, 2021
Respondent altered an insurance certificate to indicate a higher premium due, failed to notify the Commissioner of his conviction of fourth degree forgery, had his producer license revoked by Pennsylvania, and failed to obtain a waiver under 18 U.S.C. 1033.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $12,500 for Producer Act violations and $5,000 for Fraud Act violations, Fraud Act surcharge - $1,000 and Costs - $546
Order to Show Cause
John M. Collins, Madison, CT
Order #E21-15, March 26, 2021
Respondent is charged with accepting business from and paying commissions to an unlicensed person, with submitting applications containing false information, with purchasing annuities and making transfers without client consent and with failing to respond to Department inquiries. |
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February |
Final Orders
Lambrus Ciuia, Elizabeth, NJ
Fox Bail Bonds, Elizabeth, NJ
Order #E21-03, February 1, 2021
Respondents failed to respond to an Order to Show Cause charging them with misappropriation of premium, use of an unlicensed and unregistered business name and failure to produce books, records and documents in response to Department inquiries.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $20,000, Restitution - $4,246 and Costs - $2,875
Scott Newsholme, Fairton, NJ
Order #E21-05, February 9, 2021
Respondent failed to respond to an Order to Show Cause charging him with fraud, misappropriation, issuance of false financial statements, commission of a felony and failure to report a FINRA suspension.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $125,000 and Costs - $1,012.50
Consent Orders
Jason Carmine Cavallo, East Northport, NJ
Order #E21-06, February 10, 2021
Respondent transacted insurance business while his producer license was expired.
Sanction: Fine - $15,000
James V. Cipriotti, Broomall, OA
Order #E21-09, February 26, 2021
Respondent submitted five applications for Pennsylvania residents which falsely stated that the applications were completed in New Jersey.
Sanction: Fine - $22,500
Mark Yehuda Herschlag, Lakewood, NJ
Cosmo Insurance Agency, Lakewood, NJ
Order #E21-04, February 3, 2021
Respondents circulated advertisements for health insurance that failed to disclose the organization offering the insurance and the insurance producer managing the insurance program.
Sanction: Fine - $55,000
North American Senior Benefits, Lawrenceville, GA
Order #E21-07, February 18, 2021
Respondent sent misleading advertisements to 92,957 New Jersey residents and provided inaccurate information to the Department.
Sanction: Fine - $350,000
Order to Show Cause
Wayne A. Schultz, Oxford, NJ and Branchburg, NJ
Order #E21-08, February 25, 2021
Respondent is charged with commission of a fraudulent act and with failing to notify the Commissioner of actions taken him by FINRA and the New Jersey Bureau of Securities. |
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January |
Orders to Show Cause
Jonathan Galea, Lumberton, NJ
Touch the Town Bail Bonds, LLC, Lumberton, NJ
Mr. GZ Bail Bonds, Lumberton, NJ
Order #E21-01, January 4, 2021
Respondent is charged with failing to timely return bail collateral, failing to maintain a trust account, failing to issue a receipt and failing to respond to Department inquiries.
Brian J. Spak, Hamilton Square, NJ
John R. Najarian, Hillsdale, NJ
Order #E21-02, January 4, 2021
Respondents are charged with engaging in securities fraud, failing to report action taken against them by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities and failing to disclose the New Jersey Bureau of Securities action on their license renewal applications. |
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