Illinois Department of Insurance Disciplinary Report for January 2012

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Insurance today announced the following disciplinary orders:

Alliance Service Group of Illinois, Inc. & Robert J. Baldassari, Franklin Park - The Business Entity license and the insurance producer license revoked effective January 20, 2012. Alliance Service Group of Illinois and Mr. Baldassari had been licensed as public adjustors since May 4, 2011 and May 16, 2007, respectively.  The licenses were revoked as a result of an investigation which revealed that Business Entity and insurance producer misappropriated monies required held in trust, remitted an insufficient funds check to a consumer in payment of a claim, entered an improper contract with the consumer, and has failed to pay the consumer’s claim. The Order of Revocation includes $11,959.01 in restitution to a consumer and a $30,000 civil penalty.

Elizabeth A. Barnes, Quincy - Insurance producer license revoked effective February 27, 2012. Ms. Barnes had been licensed to sell life, health, casualty, variable and fire insurance since June 27, 2003.  Ms. Barnes’ license was revoked as a result of an investigation, which revealed she solicited a loan from a consumer for more than $28,000 and then claimed bankruptcy on the loan. The Order of Revocation includes a $10,000 civil penalty.

John T. Burns III, Naperville - Insurance producer license revoked effective January 10, 2012. Mr. Burns had been licensed to sell life and health insurance since March 4, 2009. Mr. Burns’ license was revoked pursuant to a Director’s Order resulting from Hearing #11-HR-0416.  The hearing was held regarding the Order of Revocation dated March 1, 2011 after an investigation revealed Mr. Burns had been permanently prohibited from selling or offering securities in the State of Illinois by the Illinois Secretary of State.  The Director’s Order also required he pay the hearing costs of $307.10 and a $10,000 civil forfeiture.    

William B. Davenport, Lake in the Hills - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer license effective January 27, 2012.  Mr. Davenport had been licensed to sell fire, casualty, life, health and variable insurance since 1984.  The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $1,500 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges Mr. Davenport misrepresented plan benefits, when comparing existing coverage versus proposed coverage, to an insured and failed to inform the Department that he was doing business as Brian Davenport.

Lawrence Edward Gaskill, Dixon - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer license effective February 16, 2012.  Mr. Gaskill has been licensed to sell life, health, fire, casualty, and variable insurance since 1973.  The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $2,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges Mr. Gaskill misrepresented the terms of insurance policies to two consumers.

Goehl Financial Services, Inc. & Stephen J. Goehl, Geneva - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer licenses effective January 24, 2012.  Goehl Financial Services, Inc. and Mr. Goehl had been licensed to sell life, health, fire, casualty and variable insurance since 2003 and 1978, respectively.  The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $5,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges Goehl Financial Services and Mr. Goehl transferred money out of a consumer’s account without authorization.

Gerald E. King, Robinson - Insurance producer license revoked effective March 2, 2012.  Mr. King had been licensed to sell life, fire, casualty and health insurance since August 31, 1999.  Mr. King’s licensed was revoked as a result of an investigation which revealed an administrative action on four renewal applications for a license and that he filed for bankruptcy against two insurers for more than $300,000.  The Order of Revocation included a $20,000 civil penalty.

Chong Hun Nam, Gurnee - Insurance producer license revoked effective January 3, 2012. Mr. Nam had been licensed to sell life, fire, casualty and health insurance since September 21, 2009.  His license was revoked as result of an investigation in which revealed he failed to facilitate and aid the Director in the investigation.  The Order of Revocation included a $5,000 civil penalty.

Veronica Nunez, Chicago - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer license effective January 27, 2012.  Ms. Nunez is licensed to sell life, health, fire and casualty insurance.  The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $2,500 civil forfeiture, corrective orders and one year suspension, alleges Ms. Nunez issued claim drafts against the insurer’s regulations and improperly issued credits on three separate auto policies to avoid a lapse.

Pinnacle Insurance Agency, Inc., Lisle & Harriet R. Reilly, Batavia - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding insurance producer licenses effective December 23, 2011. Pinnacle Insurance Agency and Ms. Reilly had been licensed to sell life, health, fire, and casualty insurance since 1989 and 1977, respectively.  The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $12,500 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges Pinnacle and Ms. Reilly misappropriated premiums, failed to return premiums timely to consumer, forwarded premiums to insurers prior to collecting the premiums from the consumer, did not match and identify commission withdrawals, had negative balances in the Premium Fund Trust Account (PFTA), and improperly labeled the PFTA.

Hady Safa, Lombard - Insurance producer license revoked effective January 9, 2012. Mr. Safa had been licensed to sell life, health, and fire insurance since 1983.  Mr. Safa’s license was revoked as a result of an investigation, which revealed he submitted an application for insurance to an insurer that contained a non-genuine signature. The Order of Revocation includes a $5,000 civil penalty.

Kevin J. Whitney, Shorewood - Insurance producer license revoked effective December 15, 2011. Mr. Whitney had been licensed to sell life, health, fire, casualty and variable insurance since March 14, 2008.  Mr. Whitney’s license was revoked pursuant to Director’s Order from Hearing #11-HR-0262.  The hearing was held regarding the Order of Revocation dated January 7, 2011 after an investigation revealed Mr. Whitney had issued a fraudulent certificate of insurance and failed to facilitate and aid the Director in the investigation.  The Director’s Order requires Mr. Whitney to pay $95.00 in hearing costs and a $10,000.00 civil forfeiture.  

Adonis Wiley, Gurnee - Insurance producer license application denied effective January 26, 2012.  Mr. Wiley’s application for an insurance producer license was denied as a result of an investigation, which revealed he was convicted of felony offenses under his name and an alias (Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon) in 1994.

Arthur A. Zemar, Midlothian - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer license effective December 20, 2011.  Mr. Zemar had been licensed to sell life, health, fire, casualty and variable insurance since June 8, 2004.  The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $1,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges Mr. Zemar circulated malicious statements calculated to injure.
Page 3/ January 2012 Disciplinary Report

More Information
The Department’s mission is to protect consumers by providing assistance and information, by efficiently regulating the insurance industry’s market behavior and financial solvency, and by fostering a competitive insurance marketplace. The Department assists consumers with all insurance complaints, including health, auto, life, and homeowner. Consumers in need of information or assistance should visit the Department’s web site at insurance.illinois.gov or call our toll-free hotline at (866) 445-5364.

For individual disciplinary orders, please visit insurance.illinois.gov/orders.