Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Respondent: ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN
Judges: LARRY J. SARTIN
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: West Palm Beach, Florida
Filed: Jun. 04, 2007
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, January 17, 2008.
Latest Update: Nov. 15, 2024
FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCIAL
SERVICES
ALEX SINK
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
STATE OF FLORIDA
OO7-DY 9S PL
IN THE MATTER OF: |
CASE NO.: 89786-07-AG *
ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
TO: ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN .
215 Westwood Circle East °
West Palm Beach , FL 33411-4403
You, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, license I.D. #4092614, are hereby notified that the
Chief Financial Officer and agency head of the Florida Department of Financial Services of the
State of Florida (Department) has caused to be made an investigation of your activities while
licensed as a title insurance agent in this state, as a result of which it is alleged:
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
1. Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, you, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, are
currently licensed in this state as a title insurance agent.
2. At all times pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to herein, you,
ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, were licensed in this state as a title insurance agent.
3. Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, the Florida Department of Financial
Services, has jurisdiction over your title insurance agent license and appointments.
4, At all times material herein, you, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, as a licensed title
insurance agent, conducted title insurance business by, through and with a title insurance agency
known as Flagler Title Company, a licensed title insurance agency located and conducting
business in West Palm Beach, Florida.
5. ‘In 2006, the Department of Financial Services conducted an investigation of your
actions and activities as a licensed title insurance agent and as a result of that investigation
alleged that, among other things, you had offered prohibited inducements for title insurance
services.
6. On May 4, 2006, a Consent Order was issued against you in case no.: 85863-06-
AG, then pending before the Department of Financial Services. That Consent Order approved
and incorporated a Settlement Stipulation for a Consent Order executed by you on April 5, 2006.
That Consent Order placed you on probation pursuant to Section 626.846, Florida Statutes, for a
period of one (1) year, and further provided that if during the period of your probation, the
Department had cause to believe that you violated the terms or conditions of your probation it
would then initiate administrative action to suspend or revoke your license and appointments.
7. The May 4, 2006 Consent Order further ordered that you, ROGER CLAY
GAMBLIN, “... shall cease and desist from offering inducements for title insurance services.”
8. Following issuance of the Consent Order against you and during the period of
your probation, the Department conducted farther investigations into your actions and activities
as a licensed title insurance agent. As a result of that investigation, the Department alleges that
while conducting title insurance business through Flagler Title Company, as its President and
agent in charge, you continued to offer prohibited inducements to obtain referral of title
insurance business directly or through representatives of Flagler Title. You further provided
reimbursement to Flagler representatives who provided unlawful inducements to various
individuals and entities as an incentive to induce those various individuals and entities to refer
title insurance business to Flagler Title Company. Additionally, you compensated unlicensed
representatives of Flagler from the commissions earned by you and/or Flagler Title from the
issuance-of title insurance.
COUNT I
9. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference. .
10. You, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, have offered unlawful inducements to
individuals and entities as an inducement to title insurance.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, have violated or
are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and Rules of the
Department of Financial Services which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of
your licenses and appointments:
(a) No title insurer, or any member, employee, attorney, agent or agency thereof,
shall pay, allow, or give, or offer to pay, allow, or give, directly or indirectly, as inducement to
obtain title insurance, ... any monetary consideration or inducement whatever. [Section
626.9541(1)(h)3a, Florida Statutes);
(b) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness io represent a title insurer in the
issuance of its commitments, binders, policies of title insurance, or guarantees of title. [Section
626.8437(4), Florida Statutes];
(c) Violation of any provision of this act in the course of dealing under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.844(2), Florida Statutes];
(dq) = Engaging in unfair methods of competition or in unfair or deceptive acts or
practices in the conduct of business, as prohibited under part IX of this chapter, or having
otherwise shown himself or herself to be a source of injury or loss to the public or to be
detrimental to the public interest. [Section 626.844(5), Florida Statutes];
COUNT I .
10. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference.
11. You, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, have violated the terms and conditions of the
May 4, 2006 Consent Order and you have, thereby, also violated the terms and conditions of
your probation.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, have violated or
are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and Rules of the
Department of Financial Services which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of
your licenses and appointments:
(a) - Willful failure to comply with, or willful violation of, any proper order or rule of
the department or willful violation of any provision of this act. [Section 626.8437(9), Florida
Statutes];
(b) Violation of any provision of this act in the course of dealing under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.844(2), Florida Statutes]; |
(c) Asa condition to such probation or in connection therewith, the department may
specify in its order reasonable terms and conditions to be fulfilled by the probationer during the
probation period. If during the probation period the department has good cause to believe that the
probationer has violated such terms and conditions, or any of them, it shall forthwith suspend,
revoke, or refuse to renew or continue the license or appointment of the probationer, as upon the
original ground or grounds referred to in subsection (1), by its order given to the licensee and
title insurer without the necessity of further advance notice, hearing, or procedure. [Section
626.846(2), Florida Statutes];
COUNT OT
12. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference.
13. The May 4, 2006 Consent Order ordered you to “cease and desist from offering
inducements for title insurance service”.
14. You, ROGER CLAY.GAMBLIN, have violated the cease and desist order
provision of your May 4, 2006 Consent Order.
ITIS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, have violated or
are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and Rules of the
Department of Financial Services which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of
your licenses and appointments:
(a) — Willful failure to comply with, or willful violation of, any proper order or rule of
the department or willful violation of any provision of this act. [Section 626.8437(9), Florida
Statutes]; |
(b) Violation of any lawful order or rule of the department. [Section 626.844(3),
Florida Statutes];
(c) Engaging in unfair methods of competition or in unfair or deceptive acts or
practices in the conduct of business, as prohibited under part IX of this chapter, or having
otherwise shown himself or herself to be a source of injury or loss to the public or to be
detrimental to the public interest. [Section 626.844(5), Florida Statutes];
(d) No title insurer, or any member, employee, attorney, agent or agency thereof,
shall pay, allow, or give, or offer to pay, allow, or give, directly or indirectly, as inducement to
obtain title insurance, ... any monetary consideration or inducement whatever. [Section
626.9541(1)(h)3a, Florida Statutes];
(e) Any person who violates a cease and desist order of the department or office
under s. 626.9581 while such order is in effect, after notice and hearing as provided in s.
626.9571, shall be subject, at the discretion of the department or office, to any one or more of the
following:
(1) A monetary penalty of not more than $50,000 as to all matters determined in such
hearing.
2) Suspension or revocation of such person's certificate of authority, license, or
eligibility to hold such certificate of authority or license.
(3) Such other relief as may be provided in the insurance code.
[Section 626.9601, Florida Statutes];
‘COUNT IV
15. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference. .
16. Section 626.8411(1)(c) provides that Section 626.753, Florida Statutes is
applicable to title insurance agents or agencies.
17. Section 626.753, Florida Statutes prohibits an agent from sharing commissions
with an unlicensed individual.
18. _You paid or authorized payments to Mary Beth Chapman, an unlicensed
employee of Flagler Title, based in part on commissions earned on the sale of title insurance
policies which Chapman obiained as clients of Flagler Title Company.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, have violated or
are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and Rules of the
Department of Financial Services which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of
your licenses and appointments:
(a) Unlawful rebating, or attempting to unlawfully rebate, or unlawfully dividing, or
offering to unlawfully divide, title insurance premiums, fees, or charges with another, as
prohibited by s. 626.9541(1)(h)3. [Section 626.8437(8), Florida Statutes];
(6) Willful failure to comply with, or willful violation of, any proper order or rule of
the department or willful violation of any provision of this act. [Section 626.8437(9), Florida
Statutes];
(c) Violation of any provision of this act in the course of dealing under the license or
appointment.. [Section 626.844(2), Florida Statutes];
WHEREFORE, you, ROGER CLAY GAMBLIN, are hereby notified that the Chief
Financial Officer intends to enter an Order suspending or revoking your licenses and
appointments as an insurance agent or to impose such penalties as may be provided under the
provisions of Sections 626.8437, 626.844, 626.9601, Florida Statutes, and under other referenced
Sections of the Florida Statutes as set out in this Administrative Complaint.
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
You have the tight to request a proceeding to contest this action by the Department of .
Financial Services ("Department") pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes,
and Rule 28-106, Florida Administrative Code. The proceeding request must be in writing,
signed by you, and must be filed with the Department within twenty-one (21) days of your
receipt of this notice. Completion of the attached Election of Proceeding form and/or a petition
for administrative hearing will suffice as a written request. The request must be filed with the
General Counsel acting as Agency Clerk, at the Florida Department of Financial Services, 612
Larson Building, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333. Your written
response must be received by the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. on the twenty-first day after
your receipt of this notice. Mailing the response on the twenty-first day will not preserve your
right to a hearing.
YOUR FAILURE TO RESPOND IN WRITING WITHIN
TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS OF YOUR RECEIPT OF THIS
NOTICE WILL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF YOUR
RIGHT TO REQUEST A PROCEEDING ON THE
MATTERS ALLEGED HEREIN AND AN ORDER OF
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION WILL BE ENTERED
AGAINST YOU.
If you request a proceeding, you must provide information that complies with the
requirements of Rule 28-106.2015, Florida Administrative Code. As noted above, completion of
the attached Election of Proceeding form conforms to these requirements. Specifically, your
response must contain:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number, and facsimile number (if any) of the
respondent (for the purpose of requesting a hearing in this matter, you are the "respondent").
(b) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number of the attorney or
qualified representative of the respondent (if any) upon whom service of pleadings and other
papers shall be made.
(c) A statement requesting an administrative hearing identifying those material facts
that are in dispute. If there are none, the petition must so indicate.
(d) A statement of when the respondent received notice of the administrative
complaint.
(e) A statement including the file number to the administrative complaint.
If a hearing of any type is requested, you have the right to be represented by counsel or
other qualified representative at your expense, to present evidence and argument, to call and
cross-examine witnesses, and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of
documents by subpoena. .
If a proceeding is requested and there is no dispute of material fact, the provisions of
Section 120.57(2), Florida Statutes, apply. In this regard, you may submit oral or written
evidence in opposition to the action taken by the Department or a written statement challenging
the grounds upon which the Department has relied. While a hearing is normally not required in
the absence of a dispute of fact, if you feel that a hearing is necessary, one will be conducted in
Tallahassee, Florida, or by telephonic conference call upon your request.
However, if you dispute material facts which are the basis for the Department’s action,
you must request an adversarial proceeding pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57(1), Florida
Statutes. These proceedings are held before a State Administrative Law Judge of the Division of
Administrative Hearings. Unless the majority of witnesses are located elsewhere, the
Department will request that the hearing be conducted in Tallahassee, Florida.
Failure to follow the procedure outlined with regard to your response to this notice may
result in the request being denied. All prior oral communication or correspondence in this matter
shall be considered freeform agency action, and no such oral communication or correspondence
shall operate as a valid request for an administrative proceeding. Any request for an
administrative proceeding received prior to the date of this notice shall be deemed abandoned
unless timely renewed in compliance with the guidelines as set out above.
Mediation of this matter pursuant to Section 120.573, Florida Statutes, is not available.
No Department attorney will discuss this matter with you until the response has been received by
the Department. - ‘3 .
DATED and SIGNED thi: a Aay of C5 » 2007.
i
N CHANDLER
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
10
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
T HEREBY CER F Y that a true and correct copy of the foregoing ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT and ELECTION OF PROCEEDING has been furnished to: ROGER CLAY
GAMBLIN, 1897 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. #125, West Palm Beach, FL 33409-3509; ROGER
CLAY GAMBLIN, 215 Westwood Circle East, Palm Beach, FL 33411-4403 by Certified Mail
thi y of May, 2007.
Pil! Aagle ser
Division of Legal Services
200 East Gaines St.
612 Larson Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-033
(850) 413-4242
. Florida Bar Number 0001959
11
Docket for Case No: 07-002495PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Jan. 17, 2008 |
Order Closing Files. CASE CLOSED.
|
Jan. 17, 2008 |
Order Denying Marybeth Chapman`s Motion to Intervene and for Continuance.
|
Jan. 15, 2008 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Jan. 14, 2008 |
Petitioner`s and Respondents` Response in Opposition to Mary Beth Chapman`s Motion to Intervene and Continue filed.
|
Jan. 04, 2008 |
MaryBeth Chapman`s Motion to Intervene and for Continuance filed.
|
Dec. 21, 2007 |
Respondents` Response to Department`s First Request for Production of Documents filed.
|
Nov. 15, 2007 |
Department of Financial Services` First Request for Production of Documents filed.
|
Nov. 15, 2007 |
Order Re-scheduling Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for January 22, 2008; 9:30 a.m.; West Palm Beach and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Nov. 13, 2007 |
Respondents` Response to Order Continuing Hearing filed.
|
Nov. 09, 2007 |
Additional Affidavit in Support of Demand for Immediate Revocation of Certain Insurance Agencies and Agents Licenses to the Florida Department of Financial Services, made by Letter to Tom Gallagher from my Attorney, Michael J. Burley, P.A. etc. filed.
|
Nov. 08, 2007 |
Letter to Judge Van Laningham from M.B. Chapman regarding her time working for R. Gamblin filed.
|
Oct. 24, 2007 |
Notice of Appearance as Co-counsel (filed by D. Busch).
|
Oct. 23, 2007 |
Order Granting Continuance (parties to advise status by November 12, 2007).
|
Oct. 19, 2007 |
Respondents` Motion to Continue Hearing filed.
|
Sep. 25, 2007 |
Petitioner`s Notice of Voluntary Dismissal filed.
|
Sep. 13, 2007 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for October 29, 2007; 9:30 a.m.; West Palm Beach and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Sep. 05, 2007 |
Respondents` Motion to Continue Hearing filed.
|
Aug. 14, 2007 |
Notice of Appearance (filed by D. Gorman).
|
Aug. 06, 2007 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
|
Aug. 06, 2007 |
Subpoena Duces Tecum filed.
|
Jul. 18, 2007 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for September 18, 2007; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
|
Jul. 12, 2007 |
Petitioner`s Motion for Continuance filed.
|
Jul. 12, 2007 |
Petitioner`s Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to Roger Clay Gamblin filed.
|
Jul. 06, 2007 |
Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 07-2495PL and 07-2496).
|
Jul. 05, 2007 |
Agreed Motion to Consolidate Cases and Continue Hearing filed.
|
Jul. 02, 2007 |
Respondent`s First Set of Interrogatories to Department of Financial Services filed.
|
Jul. 02, 2007 |
Respondent`s first Request for Production of Documents and Public Records Request to Department of Financial Services filed.
|
Jul. 02, 2007 |
Respondent`s Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to the Department of Financial Services filed.
|
Jun. 18, 2007 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Jun. 18, 2007 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for August 2, 2007; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
|
Jun. 12, 2007 |
Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Jun. 05, 2007 |
Initial Order.
|
Jun. 04, 2007 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jun. 04, 2007 |
Request for Formal Hearing filed.
|
Jun. 04, 2007 |
Agency referral filed.
|