DOI HITS FELONIOUS BAIL BOND AGENTS:

Missouri Insurance Director Dale Finke announced a crackdown on bail bond agents with felony convictions who have obtained licenses from the Insurance Department during the past several years.

“The Missouri Supreme Court rules make it clear that convicted felons are not qualified for surety on bail bonds,” Finke said. “I have ordered a review of every bail bond agent license in Missouri and our preliminary findings are that a number of felons currently hold licenses granted during the last five years. I have ordered immediate changes to the license renewal process. Also today, we are beginning legal action to remove disqualified agents from our licensing rolls.”

Since Director Finke was sworn in as the director of insurance, the department has denied bail bond agent licenses to eight convicted felons. However, convicted felons had been licensed as bail bond agents in prior years.

The DOI has filed an action before the Administrative Hearing Commission seeking the authority to suspend or revoke the license of James G. Cox. Cox obtained a license in May 2004, but is now in federal prison for conspiracy to violate civil rights.