LOUISIANA CRACKS DOWN

Louisiana Department of Insurance Fraud Unit investigators have been busy cracking down on agents who’ve allegedly gone awry. The unit served a cease and desist and summary suspension order to Vimmi Inabnet Clarius of Pineville, prohibiting her from conducting any kind of insurance business in the state. A few days earlier, similar cease and desist orders were issued to Linda Foxworth McMillan and A Aabco Insurance Agency of Bogalusa. Clarius allegedly misappropriated premium payments and issued bogus proofs of insurance statements to a number of individuals during the time she was a partner in the Blaisdell Clarius Insurance Agency in Alexandria. The department believes that on several occasions, Clarius allegedly collected payments for insurance and pocketed the money while issuing a written statement saying there was insurance coverage with the designated insurance company. Evidence presented to the department shows that McMillan apparently collected premium payments and issued fake proof of insurance statements to a number of individuals during the almost two years since her insurance license expired. Violations listed in the cease and desist order include acting as a producer (agent) without being licensed by the department and converting to her own use money held by her in a fiduciary capacity. In one instance, McMillan reportedly collected payments for insurance, issued a written statement saying there was insurance coverage and never made any application to an insurance company for coverage. At the time, she was not licensed to sell any kind of insurance. Clarius has held a property and casualty insurance license with the Department of Insurance since 1993. However, the charges that prompted action stem from the time Clarius was at the Blaisdell Clarius Insurance Agency. In November of last year, the department issued c&d and summary suspension orders against Melisa Lynne Blaisdell and the Blaisdell Clarius insurance agency. Department records show that McMillan had a Property and Casualty insurance license from August 24, 1999, until May 1, 2001, as did her agency, A Aabco Insurance Agency. For more information about these departmental actions, contact LDI at (800) 259-5300.