Press Releases
Illinois Department of Insurance Disciplinary Report for November 2009
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Insurance announced today that Director of Insurance Michael T. McRaith issued the following disciplinary orders:
• Stephen L. Blust, Normal and Horizon Insurance & Associates, Bloomington - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance licenses of Mr. Blust and Horizon Insurance & Associates, effective September 9, 2009. Horizon Insurance & Associates and Mr. Blust have been licensed since July 27, 1987, and July 1, 1987, respectively, to sell life, accident, and health insurance. The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $5,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges that Horizon Insurance & Associates and Mr. Blust failed to properly protect consumers' private information.
• Timothy G. Murphy & Murphy Insurance Group, Champaign - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding licenses of Mr. Murphy and Murphy Insurance Group, effective September 15, 2009. Murphy Insurance Group and Mr. Murphy have been licensed since December 2, 2004, and the early 1980s, respectively, to sell life, accident, health, fire, and casualty insurance. The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $10,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges that Murphy Insurance Group and Mr. Murphy did not: maintain premiums in a fiduciary capacity; withdraw commissions properly; return an insured's "return premium" in a timely fashion; maintain a positive running balance in the Premium Fund Trust Account (PFTA); and label the PFTA properly.
• Thatcher Floyd, Jacksonville - Application for insurance producer license denied effective September 28, 2009. Mr. Floyd's application for a Limited Lines producer license was denied as a result of an investigation which revealed that Mr. Floyd was convicted of felony offenses of Attempt (Arson) and Arson in November 1998.
• Christopher Robert Hollingsworth, Chicago - Insurance producer license revoked effective October 12, 2009. Mr. Hollingsworth had been licensed to sell life, accident, and health insurance since July 1, 2002. Mr. Hollingsworth's license was revoked as result of an investigation which revealed that he signed a consumer's name to insurance-related documents without the consumer's knowledge or consent, misrepresented facts to the Department, and failed to facilitate and aid the Director in an examination. The Order of Revocation includes a $6,000 civil penalty.
• Matthew S. Corbin, Glendale Heights - Application for insurance producer license denied effective October 6, 2009. Mr. Corbin's application for a license to sell life, accident, health, property and casualty insurance was denied following conclusion of a hearing on the Department's Letter of Denial dated June 25, 2009. The Letter of Denial was issued as a result of an investigation revealing Mr. Corbin had been convicted of felony Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in December 2007.
• Amy B. Palmer, LaHarpe - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer licenses of Ms. Palmer, effective October 6, 2009. Ms. Palmer has been licensed to sell life insurance since June 20, 1997. The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $1,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges that Ms. Palmer signed a consumer's name to an insurance-related document.
• Daniel R. Black, Darien - Application for insurance producer license denied effective October 15, 2009. Mr. Black's application for a license to sell life, accident and health insurance was denied as a result of an investigation which revealed that Mr. Black was convicted of felony Driving While License Revoked in August 2007.
• Henry C. Barefield, Chicago - Insurance producer license revoked effective October 16, 2009. Mr. Barefield had been licensed to sell life, accident, health, fire casualty and variable insurance since October 16, 2000. Mr. Barefield's license was revoked as a result of an investigation which revealed that the Licensee: made a $20,000 withdrawal on a consumer's annuity without the knowledge or consent of the consumer; failed to deposit $10,000 received from a consumer into an annuity contract; failed to facilitate and aid the Director in the examination; and had his NASD registration terminated. The revocation includes a $10,000 civil penalty.
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 and homeowners. Consumers in need of information or assistance should visit the Department's web site at www.insurance.illinois.gov or call our toll-free hotline at (866) 445-5364.
If you would like individual disciplinary orders, please call or e-mail Anjali Julka at anjali.julka@illinois.gov or Louis G. Pukelis at louis.pukelis@illinois.gov.
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