LA. PRODUCER CHARGED WITH FRAUD:
A Lake Charles, La., insurance producer was issued a cease and desist order and a summary suspension of his insurance license for allegedly engaging in fraudulent and dishonest insurance practices, according to the Louisiana Department of Insurance. LDI Fraud Unit investigators served John Steven Blount, 44, whose business address is 4521 N. Highway 171, Lake Charles, with the C&D and summary suspension order. The order prohibits Blount from engaging in any activity relating to the business of insurance. Charges against him include misrepresenting the terms of insurance contracts involving variable annuities and falsifying information on his insurance license application. Insurance dep-artment records show that Blount was issued a life, health and accident insurance license in 1991 and a variable annuity license in 1993. Both licenses remained in effect until the current suspension.