Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Respondent: ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR.
Judges: CHARLES C. ADAMS
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: Gainesville, Florida
Filed: Dec. 10, 2007
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, February 25, 2008.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF . ‘ é
FINANCIALSERVICES —
TOM GALLAGHER . Fi LED:
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER : .
STATE OF FLORIDA ; Aus 9 6
INTHEMATTEROF: ~— Docketed by:_ Ak
ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR, > CASENO. 86795-06-AG
ho. 2
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
TO: . ARTHUR WALTER BROWN JR.
120 SW 250" Street
Newberry, Florida 32693 : 0 o-> 2) Y, PL
ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR.
12451 1018" Court
Archer, Florida 32618
ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR.
P.O. Box 130 ;
Newberry, Florida 32669
You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., are hereby notified that pursuant to Chapter
626, Florida Statutes, the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida, has caused to be made
an investigation of your activities while licensed as an insurance agent in this state, as a result of
which it is alleged:
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
1, — You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., are currently licensed in the state as a
general lines insurance agent.
2. At all time pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to in this Administrative
Complaint you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., were licensed as an insurance agent in this
. State,
3. , Atall time pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to in this Administrative
Complaint all funds received by you, ARTHUR. WALTER BROWN, JR. from consumers or on
' behalf of consumers representing premiums for insurance policies, were trust funds received in a
fiduciary capacity and were to be paid over to an insurer, insured, or other persons entitled
thereto in the regular course of business.
| COUNT I
4, Paragraphs one through four are realleged and incorporated herein by reference.
5. On or about July 23, 2004, you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., received
$483.82 from PK. of Bronson, Florida, a F lotida insurance consumer. This sum was intended to
be total premium payments. on a mobile homeowner’s insurance policy to be issued by Lloyds of
London, | .
6. You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR. failed to promptly remit the above-
described $483.82 premium payments received from P.K. to Lloyds or any insurer entitled
thereto. Rather, you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., without P.K.’s knowledge or informed
consent, submitted a fraudulent premium finance application to Distinct Advantage Premium
Finance Company with the signature of P.K, falsely affixed thereto, together with a $123 down
payment. You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., then financed the remainder of the insurance
policy premium and retained the remaining $364 in fiduciary funds for your own use and benefit.
7. P.K. subsequently began receiving demands from the premium finance company
for payments on the premium loan. When queried by P.K. about the heretofore unknown
premium financing, you, ARTHUR. WALTER BROWN, JR., represented to P.K. that it was a
clerical error only and that you would “take care of it”. Ultimately, P.K.’s insurance policy was
cancelled for nonpayment to the premium finance company.
8. You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR. have knowingly and willingly
misappropriated, converted or wrongfully withheld an insurance premium belonging to insurers
or to an insured received in conduct of business under your license.
9, You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., have converted, misappropriated, or
wrongfully withheld money belonging to an insurer and an insured. | |
ITIS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., have
violated or are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and
Rules of the Chief Financial Officer which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of :
your insurance licenses and eligibility for licensure: .
(a) All premiums, return premiums, or other funds belonging to insurers or others received
by an agent, solicitor, or adjuster in transactions under his license shall be trust funds so received
by the licensee ina fiduciary capacity; and the licensee in the applicable regular course of .
business shall account for and pay the same to the insurer, insured, or other person entitled
thereto, [Section 626.561(1), Florida Statutes];
(b) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or willful deception with regard to .
such policy, done either in person or by any form of dissemination of information or advertising.
[Section 626.611(5), Florida Statutes] . )
. (c) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of insurance. ©
[Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes];
_(d) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or permit.
[Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(e) Misappropriation, conversion, or unlawful withholding of moneys belonging to insurers
or insureds or beneficiaries or to others and received in conduct of business under the license.
[Section 626.61 1(10), Florida Statutes];
co Willful failure to comply with or willful violation of any provision of the Insurance
Code. [Section 626.61 1013), Florida Statutes)
(g) Knowingly:
a. Filing with any supervisory or other public official,
b. Making, publishing, disseminating, circulating,
c. Delivering to any person,
d. Placing before the public,
e. Causing, directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated,
delivered to any person, or placed before the public, any false material. statement. [Section
626.9541(1)(e) 1, Florida Statutes]
COUNT
10. Paragraphs one through four are realleged and incorporated herein by reference.
11 On or about Septertiber 16, 2004, you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR.,
received $1354.46 from J.B.H. of Clearwater, Florida, a Florida insurance consumer. This sum
was intended to be total premium payment on a mobile home insurance policy to be issued by
Lloyds of London.
12. You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR. failed to promptly remit the above-
described $1354.46 premium payments received from J.B.H. to Lloyds or any insurer entitled
thereto. Rather, you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., without J.B.H.’s knowledge or
informed consent, submitted a fraudulent premium finance application to Distinct Advantage
Premium Finance Company with the signature of J -B.H. falsely affixed thereto, together with a
$345 down payment, You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., then financed the remainder of
the insurance policy premium and retained the remaining $1,041.76 in fiduciary funds for your
own use and benefit.
13. J.B.H. subsequently began receiving demands from the premium finance company
for payments on the premium loan. When queried by J.B.H. about the heretofore unknown
premium financing, you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., represented to J.B.H. that it was a
clerical error only and that you would “take care of it”, Ultimately, J.B.H.’s insurance policy
was cancelled for nonpayment to the'premium finance company.
14. You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR. have knowingly and willingly
misappropriated, converted or wrongfully withheld an insurance premium belonging to insurers
or to an insured received in conduct of business under your license.
15. You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., have converted, misappropriated, or
wrongfully withheld money belonging to an insurer and an insured.
| IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., have
violated ¢ or are accountable under the following provisions.of the Florida Insurance Code and
Rules of the Chief Financial Officer which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of
your insurance licenses and eligibility for licensure: Sections 626.561(1); 626.611(5);
626.611(7); 626.611(9); 626.611(10); 626.611(13) and 626.9541(1)(e)1, Florida Statutes; as
more particularly alleged in Count I above. .
| , COUNT IH ©
16. On or about September 2, 2003, you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR,
received $802.800 from First American Title Company on behalf D.T. of LaCrosse, Florida, a
Florida insurance consumer. This sum was intended to be total premium payment on a
homeowner’s insurance policy to be issued by Florida F amily Insurance Company.
17. ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, IR. failed to promptly remit the above-described
$802.00 premium payments received from First American Title Company on behalf of D.T. to
Florida Family or any insurer entitled thereto. Rather, you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR.,
without D.T.’s knowledge or informed consent, submitted a fraudulent premium finance
application to Distinct Advantage Premium Finance Company with the signature of D.T. falsely
affixed thereto, together with a $198 down payment. You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, R,
then financed the remainder of the insurance policy premium and retained the remaining $594.15
in fiduciary funds for your own use and benefit. _ .
18. _D.T’s insurance policy was subsequently cancelled for non payment of the
premium, When queried by D.T. about cancellation of her policy, you, ARTHUR WALTER
BROWN, I R., represented to D.T. that it was a clerical error only and that she was fully insured.
19. = You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR. have knowingly and willingly
misappropriated, converted or wrongfully withheld an insurance premium belonging to insurers
or to an insured received in conduct of business under your license.
20. You, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., have converted, misappropriated, or
wrongfully withheld money belonging to an insurer and an insured.
ITIS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., have
‘violated or are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and
Rules of the Chief Financial Officer which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of
your insurance licenses and eligibility for licensure: Sections 626.561(1); 626.611(5);
626.611(7); 626.611(9); 626.611(10); 626.611(13) and 626.9541(1)(e)1, Florida Statutes; as
more particularly alleged in Count I above.
WHEREFORE, you, ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., 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 626.611, 626.621, 626.681, 626.691, and 626.9521, Florida Statutes, and
under the other referenced Sections of the Florida Statutes as set out in this Administrative
Complaint.
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
You have the right to request a proceeding io contest this action by the Department
pursuant to sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, and Rule 28-107, 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 as acting
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 REVOCATION
WILL BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
If you request a proceeding, you must provide information that complies with the requirements of
Rule 28-107.004, 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 and address of the party making the request, for purpose of service;
(b) A statement that the party is requesting a hearing involving disputed issues of
material fact, or a hearing not involving disputed issues of material fact; and
8
(c) A reference to the notice, order to show cause, administrative complaint, or other
communication that the party has received from the agency.
Ifa 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.
Ifa 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 of Financial Services,
th
DATED and SIGNED this 4" " day of Avgust 2006.
“KAREN CHANDLER
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
10
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Administrative
. Complaint has been furnished by U.S. Certified Mail to ARTHUR WALTER BROWN JR., 120
SW 250" Street, Newberry, Florida 32693; ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., 12451 1015".
Court, Archer, Florida 32618; ARTHUR WALTER BROWN, JR., P.O. Box 130, Newberry,
th .
Florida 32669 this 1" day or. Suyus\ _, 2006.
James A. Boss
\ Division of Legal Services
\ East Gaines St.
612 Larson Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-033-
(850) 413-4124
Florida Bar Number 0374598
11
Docket for Case No: 07-005597PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 25, 2008 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 20, 2008 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Dec. 20, 2007 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Dec. 20, 2007 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for March 5, 2008; 10:00 a.m.; Gainesville, FL).
|
Dec. 17, 2007 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Dec. 10, 2007 |
Initial Order.
|
Dec. 07, 2007 |
Amended Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Dec. 07, 2007 |
Department`s Motion to Reassume Jurisdiction and Re-Set Final Hearing filed. (FORMERLY DOAH CASE NO. 06-3304PL)
|
Sep. 05, 2006 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Sep. 05, 2006 |
Election of Proceeding filed.
|
Sep. 05, 2006 |
Agency referral filed.
|