Texas Announces December Insurance Industry Enforcement Actions
The Texas Department of Insurance announced enforcement actions taken by Commissioner Mike Geeslin that became final during December.
The actions include five license revocations, three license denials and fines and restitution totaling $41,082. Copies of Geeslin’s orders may be obtained by contacting TDI’s Public Information Office.
An order imposing disciplinary measures becomes final 20 days after the agent or insurance company has received notice of the order unless a motion for rehearing is filed within that period. A motion for rehearing stays the finality of an order until the Commissioner of Insurance acts upon the motion or upon the operation of law. Commissioner’s orders are subject to appeal to state district court.
Final Disciplinary Orders
Anchor General Insurance Company of San Diego, CA
Order Number: 081075
Date of Order: 12/23/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: $18,000 fine
Violation: Failed to file appointments for managing general agents; Accepted business from a managing general agent without a contract
Binyon, Suzanna Marie of Corpus Christi
Order Number: 081077
Date of Order: 12/23/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: General Property and Casualty License revoked
Violation: Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured
Derer, Gary Joseph of Plano
Order Number: 081078
Date of Order: 12/23/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health License revoked
Violation: Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured
Gardner, Ronald Joe of Dallas
Order Number: 081050
Date of Order: 12/19/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: $1,900 fine
Violation: Failed to timely file Annual Agent Reports for Risk Retention and Purchasing Groups
McBride, Lewis Dean of Pilot Point
Order Number: 081051
Date of Order: 12/19/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: $5,000 fine; Must complete 5 additional hours of continuing education in ethics
Violation: Failed to disclose previous administrative actions by a state regulator; Made a material misrepresentation on a license application
Ramirez, Paul Garza of San Antonio
Order Number: 081052
Date of Order: 12/19/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: Limited Lines License issued and placed on probation for two years
Violation: Criminal offense, credit card abuse
Ryan, April Michelle of Houston
Order Number: 081048
Date of Order: 12/19/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: $9,782 Restitution; General Property and Casualty License revoked
Violation: Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured
Skow, Cory Allen of Roberts, WI
Order Number: 081053
Date of Order: 12/19/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: $900 fine; Must complete 15 hours of continuing education
Violation: Failed to comply with continuing education requirements
Southlake Title, LLC of Southlake
Order Number: 081054
Date of Order: 12/19/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: $5,500 fine
Violation: Failed to timely file annual trust fund account audit report
Zachary, Joseph Hilton, Jr. of Giddings
Order Number: 081019
Date of Order: 12/15/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: General Property and Casualty License revoked
Violation: Criminal offense, securing execution of a document by deception; Made a material misrepresentation on a license application
Zapata, Frank Diego of The Woodlands
Order Number: 081049
Date of Order: 12/19/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health License and General Property and Casualty License revoked
Violation: Materially misrepresented terms and conditions of an insurance policy; Misappropriated or converted money belonging to an insurer or insured
License Applications Denied
Arp, Christopher Lee of McGregor
Order Number: 081018
Date of Order: 12/15/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: Insurance Adjuster License application denied
Reason: Criminal offense, Theft by Check
Harris, Randall Bruce of San Antonio
Order Number: 081022
Date of Order: 12/15/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: General Life, Accident and Health Agent License denied
Reason: Failed to show good cause why the revocation of a previous license should not be a bar to the issuance of a new license; Criminal offense, possession of a controlled substance
Watson, Cody Bert of Gonzales
Order Number: 081076
Date of Order: 12/23/2008
Order Final In: December
Action Taken: General Property and Casualty License and General Life, Accident and Health License application denied
Reason: Criminal offense; Made a material misrepresentation on a license application
Source: Texas Department of Insurance, www.tdi.state.tx.us