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| Home > Insurance Division > Enforcement Activity |
| 2023 Division of Insurance Enforcement Activity |
January > February > March > April > May > June > August > October > November > December
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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
Onet Systems LLC
Order #E23-41, December 19, 2023
The respondent acted as a third -party billing service without benefit of certification from the Department.
Sanction: Fine $70,000
Adelphia Insurance Agency, Audubon, NJ
James L. Kelley, Audubon, NJ
Jeffrey A. Kelley, Charleston, SC
Order #E23-42, December 19, 2023
Respondents failed to remit premium and failed to place premium funds in a trust account. Respondents charged improper and excessive fees. Respondents charged client for auto service agreement and failed to remit enrollment agreement to servicing organization.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine $2,500, Cost $500
David Financial Group, LLC, Wayne, NJ
Brian G. David, Wayne, NJ
Sugell Bakir, Northvale, NJ
Order #E23-43, December 19, 2023
Respondents offered insurance discounts on automobile insurance policies, to which the client was not entitled, as an inducement to obtain insurance through Respondent’s agency.
Sanction: Sugell Bakir – Violations of Producer Act, Fine $5,000, Cost $500, violations of the Fraud Act, Fine $5,000, Attorney fees $1,000, Fraud surcharge $250
David Financial Group, LLC, Wayne, NJ
Brian G. David, Wayne, NJ
Maria M. Gonzalez, Paterson, NJ
Order #E23-44, December 19, 2023
Respondents offered insurance discounts on automobile insurance policies, to which the client was not entitled, as an inducement to obtain insurance through Respondent’s agency.
Sanction: Maria M. Gonzalez – Violations of Producer Act, Revocation, Fine $5,000, Costs $500, violations of the Fraud Act, $5,000, Attorney fees $2,500, Fraud surcharge $250 |
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| November |
Consent Orders
Revenue Cycle Billing Service Inc. d/b/a RC Billing, Cedar Park, TX
Order #E23-38, October 13, 2023
The respondent acted as a third-party billing service without benefit of certification from the Department.
Sanction: Fine - $95,000
Richard D. Raymond, Vineland, NJ
Order #E23-40, October 5, 2023
Respondent failed to witness applicant’s signature on application for life Insurance. Respondent conspired with applicant’s daughter to provide inaccurate and misleading information on an application for life insurance; and permitted insured daughter to impersonate applicant on insurance confirmation phone call.
Sanctions: Fines - $10,000 for violations of the Producer Act, $3,000 for violations of the Fraud Act and $150 fraud surcharge |
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| October |
Final Orders
Anthony M. Zappaunbulso, Wildwood Crest, NJ
Order #E23-35, October 5, 2023
Respondent failed to remit premium to the insurer for an annuity. Respondent failed to maintain a trust account in accordance with regulatory requirements. Respondent misappropriated premium.
Sanctions: Revocation; Fine - $17,500; Costs - $875
Wayne Schultz, Branchburg NJ
Order #E23-36, October 12, 2023
Respondent failed to notify the Commissioner of FINRA Consent Letter in accordance with regulatory requirements. Respondent failed to notify the Commissioner of Bureau of Securities Order of revocation in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Sanctions: Revocation; Fine - $2,500; Costs - $836.55
Consent Orders
Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C.
Order #E23-34, October 3, 2023
Respondent failed to contact the Department’s Assistant Commissioner of Property and Casualty, or file a withdrawal plan, prior to sending out nonrenewal notices to commercial auto policy holders.
Sanction: Fine - $522,900
Elite Billing and Collections, LLC
Elite Billing and Collections, LLC, Bloomfield, NJ
Order #E23-33, October 3, 2023
This case file was opened when it was learned that the subject had provided third-party billing services for 34 days without benefit of Department certification.
Sanction: Fine - $3,400
FinAuction.Com LLC, a/k/a Financialize.Com, LLC, Corte Madera, CA
Order #E23-37, October 16, 2023
Respondent advertised and solicited clients for annuities without benefit of a New Jersey producer license.
Sanction: Fine - $10,000 |
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| August |
Final Orders
Scott Marinelli, Mountainside, NJ
Title Matters, Somerset, NJ
Order #E23-31, August 31, 2023
Respondents engaged in multiple acts of misrepresentation and incompetence, failed to maintain and produce records, failed to report disciplinary action in other jurisdictions and failed to respond to the Department’s subpoena.
Sanctions: Revocation; Fine - Scott Marinelli & Title Matters Jointly and Severally $25,000; Investigative Costs $1,550
Anka Bojic, Wayne, NJ
Order #E23-29, August 22, 2023
Respondent provided false information to insurance companies in support of claims made for payment on homeowner insurance policies.
Sanctions: Revocation; Fine - Producer Act violations $22,500; Cost $1,177.50, Restitution $11,437, Fraud Act violations $15,000; Legal fees $12,210, Fraud surcharge $1,000
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| June |
Consent Order
Dennise A. Rodriguez, Hammonton, NJ
Order #E23-26, June 13, 2023
On two occasions the respondent provided insurance applications to two different insurance companies with inaccurate and misleading information. On both occasions the respondent failed to disclose all drivers in the household.
Sanction: Fine - $15,125 (Violation of Producer Act $12,500, Violation of Fraud Act $2,500, Fraud Surcharge $125.00)
Order to Show Cause
Ellen B. Edwards, Keansburg, NJ
Order #E23-25, June 6, 2023
The subject is charged with providing an insurance company inaccurate, misleading and fraudulent information, in support of a claim for injury and loss wages. |
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| May |
Final Orders
Michael A. Fortunato, Succasunna, NJ
Order #E23-21, May 3, 2023
Respondent failed to remit and misappropriated insurance premium.
Sanctions: Revoked, Fine- $25,000, Cost - $700
Octavio Montoya, Hawthorne, NJ
Order #E23-20, May 2, 2023
Respondent provided misleading and inaccurate information on a document for insurance, to an insurance company.
Sanctions: Revoked, Fine - $2,500, Cost - $575
Consent Orders
Amy Shui, Long Beach, NJ
Order #E23-22, May 3, 2023
Respondent submitted an insurance application to an insurance company with inaccurate and misleading information.
Sanction: Fine - $25,000
Sergio Bolivar, Paterson, NJ
Order #E/BFD23-24, May 9, 2023
Respondent failed to disclose all drivers of risk vehicle, business use of risk vehicle and unlicensed driver. Respondent also provided inaccurate and/or misleading information with reference to garaging location of risk vehicle.
Sanctions: Fine - $13,150 ($10,000 for violations of Producer Act, $3,000 for violations of Fraud Act and $150 Fraud surcharge)
Order Denying Motion for Reconsideration of Final Decision
Francisco Maneri, Fair Lawn, NJ
Order #E23-19, May 1, 2023
Order Denying Motion for Reconsideration of Final Decision and Order E23-09, is denied. |
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| April |
Final Order
Brian Piccolo, Andover, NJ
Insurance Coverage Specialists LLC, Andover, NJ
Order #E23-18, April 27, 2023
Respondents issued 62 separate certificates of insurance and presented them to public agencies and private companies, which falsely attested that one policy covered two individual organizations, when only one of the entities was an insured.
| Sanctions: |
Brian Piccolo – Revocation, Fine Producer Violation $312,500, Cost $1,000
Fraud Violation $2,500, Attorney Fee $5,000, Fraud Surcharge $500
Insurance Coverage Specialists – Revocation, Fine Producer Violation $312,500, Cost $1,000
Fraud Violation $2,500, Attorney Fee $5,000, Fraud Surcharge $500 |
Consent Orders
CoverWallet, New York, NY
Margaret M. Reff, Victor, NY
Order #E23-13, April 13, 2023
Respondent failed to remit insurance premium, resulting in the cancellation of the insured’s policy.
Sanction: Fine $45,000
Sano Partners Inc, Northbrook, IL
Order #E23-15, April 19, 2023
Respondent operated as a third-party billing service prior to being certified as a third-party billing service.
Sanction: Fine $25,800
Lil N. Rodriguez, Allentown, PA
Order #E/BFD23-16, April 20, 2023
Respondent submitted a life insurance application to the insurance carrier with a forged signature.
Sanction: Fine, $7,100 (Producer Act Violations $5,000, Fraud Act Violations $2,000, Fraud Act Surcharge $100)
Orders to Show Cause
William Babst, Warminster, PA
Jason A. Newsome, Trenton, NJ
PB&K Public Adjusters LLC, Warminster, PA
Order #E23-14, April 18, 2023
The respondent William Babst is charged with completing 31 contracts that were unlawful and unauthorized on behalf of the unlicensed PB&K Public Adjusters LLC. The respondent Jason Newsome is charged with completing 27 contracts on behalf of the unlicensed PB&K public Adjusters LLC, that were unlawful and unauthorized. PB&K Public Adjuster LLC is charged with engaging in business as a public adjuster without licensure to do so.
Priority One Adjustment Services LLC, Bordentown, NJ
Victor F. Tonzillo Jr. , Bordentown, NJ
Victor F. Tonzillo Jr., Hamilton, NJ
Paul D. Ciarrocca, Bordentown NJ
Order #E23-17, April 27, 2023
Respondents are charged with entering into 25 public adjuster contracts without licensure to do so. Respondents are charged with entering into 35 contracts that did not include procedures to be followed if the insured chose to cancel the contract. Respondents are charged with applying fees that were not reasonably related to the services rendered. Respondents are charged with failing to maintain a register of all monies received. Respondents are charged with failing to deposit funds into an interest-bearing escrow or trust account. Respondents are charged with failing to include on the contract the time contracts were executed. |
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| March |
Final Order
Greg Adamo, Morristown, NJ
Order #E23-11, March 17, 2023
Respondent failed to notify the Department of conviction in United States District Court, Southern District of New York. Respondent provided inaccurate information on producer license renewal application. Respondent failed to notify Department of Bureau of Securities Order and Permanent FINRA bar.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $15,000 and Cost - $400
Order to Show Cause
Jeffrey Glaser, Forked River, NJ
Order #E23-12, March 21, 2023
Respondent is charged with providing inaccurate and misleading information in the sale of annuities to consumers. |
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| February |
Final Orders
Abdulrasheed Berte, Bronx, NY
Order #E23-07, February 14, 2023
Respondent knowingly submitted 25 term life insurance applications containing inaccurate and misleading information to an insurance company. Respondent failed to report revocation of his producer license by another State. Respondent failed to cooperate with the Department’s investigation. Respondent failed to comply with Department’s Subpoena.
| Sanction: |
Revocation;
Violation of Producer Act Fine - $285,000, Cost - $1,850
Violation of Fraud Act Fine - $360,000, Cost - $8,907.50, Fraud Surcharge - $1,000 |
Francisco Maneri, Fairlawn, NJ
Order #E23-09, February 16, 2023
Respondent collected premium funds from policy holder and failed to remit those funds to the carrier. Respondent failed to notify the Department of his business mailing address change within 30 days.
Sanction: Revocation, Fine - $3,500 and Cost - $750
Orders to Show Cause
Kevin Dufficy, Corte Madera, CA
FinAuction.com, LLC a/k/a Financialize.com, LLC, Corte Madera, CA
Order #E23-06, February 14, 2023
Respondent is charged with soliciting insurance business without a New Jersey producer license and; failing to identify the underwriter or insurance product in an advertisement.
ONet Systems LLC, New Hyde Park, NY
Bert Lurch, Elmont, NY
Order #E23-05, February 14, 2023
Respondent is charged with operating as a third-party billing service prior to being certified by the Commissioner as a third-party billing service.
DRD Medical Solutions LLC, Winslow, NJ
Deborah L. Britton, Ocean City, NJ
Order #E23-08, February 17, 2023
Respondent is charged with operating as a third-party billing service prior to being certified by the Commissioner as a third-party billing service.
A & E Billing Service Corp., Elizabeth, NJ
Ernesto Berdu, Elizabeth, NJ
Order #E23-10, February 17, 2023
Respondent is charged with operating as a third-party billing service prior to being certified by the Commissioner as a third-party billing service. |
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| January |
Final Order
Steven Krauss, Covington Township, PA
Robert Lapinski, Little Ferry, NJ
Cutting Edge Bail Bonds, LLC, Little Ferry, NJ
Order #E23-01, January 4, 2023
Cutting Edge Bail Bonds, LLC, misrepresented terms of an insurance contract. Cutting Edge Bail Bonds, LLC, Robert Lapinski and Steven Krauss failed to satisfy a judgment.
| Sanctions: |
Cutting Edge Bail Bonds, LLC, Robert Lapinski and Steven Krauss: Revocation of producer licenses
Cutting Edge Bail Bonds, LLC (re count for misrepresentation): Fine - $5,000
Cutting Edge Bail Bonds, LLC, Robert Lapinski and Steven Krauss (re count for failure to satisfy a judgment): Fine – $5,000 (joint and several)
Costs: $3,584.50 (joint and several) |
Order to Show Cause
Robert Davis, Deptford, NJ
Peoples Property Adjuster LLC, Woodbury, NJ
Order #E23-02, January 13, 2023
Respondents are charged with violations of the Public Adjusters’ Act, including (i) misappropriation of insurance settlement funds, (ii) fraudulent or dishonest acts in failing to obtain the legitimate signature of the insured on settlement checks, (iii) soliciting the adjustment of a loss between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. within 24 hours after the loss had occurred, (iv) failing to respond to a Department inquiry, and (v) failing to perform a monthly reconciliation of the firm’s trust account.
Consent Order
First Continental Life & Accident Insurance Company, Sugar Land, TX
Order #E23-03, January 18, 2023
First Continental issued group policies to certain out of state associations and issued certificates under those group policies to residents of New Jersey. The group policies constituted individual health benefits plans but did not comply with provisions of the Individual Health Coverage Act. Specifically, the coverage provided by these policies did not comply with requirements for hospital confinement indemnity coverage.
Sanction: Fine - $211,000
Order of Remand
John Collins, Madison, CT
Order #E23-04, February 2, 2023
In the matter of Order to Show Cause E21-15, it was determined by the Commissioner that good cause was shown, and it was ordered that the issue be remanded to the Office of Administrative Law for further proceedings. |
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