Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Respondent: GERALD SCOTT ADAMS
Judges: J. D. PARRISH
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: Viera, Florida
Filed: May 29, 2009
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, January 4, 2010.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
May 29 2009 9:33
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? May. 29 26689 88:44AM PS
an & 2009
REPRESENTING
ALEX SINK
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
STATE OF FLORIDA
IN THE MATTER OF:
GERALD SCOTT ADAMS CASE NO: 100155-08-AG
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
TO: GERALD SCOTT ADAMS
Post Office Box 15059
Clearwater, Florida 33766-5059
R. Nathan Hightower, Esq.
General Counsel
AmeriLife Group LLC
2536 Countryside Boulevard, Sixth Floor
Clearwater, Florida 33763-1639
You, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, license LD. #A001244, are hereby notified that 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. Pursuant to chapter 626, Florida Statutes, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, are
currently licensed in this state as a 2-14 Life Including Variable Annuity Agent, a 2-15 Life
Including Variable Annuity and Health Agent, a 2-16 Life Agent, a 2-18 Life and Health Agent,
and a 2-40 Health Agent.
May 29 2009 9:34
FROM : DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAs NO. : 8564874987 May. 29 2689 BE:44AmM P4
2. At all times pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to herein, you,
GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, were licensed in this state as an insurance agent, license number
A001244,
3. At all times material hereto, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, were agent-in-
charge of an insurance agency known as Ameri-Life & Health Services of Brevard County,
LLC, located at 808 West New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, Florida 32901 (“Brevard Ameri-
Life”).
4, Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, the Florida Department of Financial
Services (“Department”) has jurisdiction over your insurance licenses and appointments,
5. The Business of Life Insurance is hereby declared to be a public trust in which
service all agents of all companies have a common obligation to work together in serving the
best interests of the insuring public, by understanding and observing the laws governing Life
Insurance in letter and in spirit by presenting accurately and completely every fact essential to a
client’s decision, and by being fair in all relations with colleagues and competitors always
placing the policyholder’s interests first, [Rule 69B-215.210, Florida Administrative Code].
. COUNT I
6. The above General Allegations are realleged and incorporated herein by
reference.
7. On or about November 1, 2006, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, held a seminar
in Suntree, Florida to promote the “Any, Any, Any” plan for Universal Healthcare
(“Universal”).
8. As part of the presentation, you, GERAIT) SCOTT ADAMS, represented to
consumers that the plan allowed them to go to any doctor, any hospital, anytime, and anywhere
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through a private fee for a service plan.
9. Additionally, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, represented to consumers that the
plan would save them approximately $1,100.00 per year by replacing their Medicare Part B
coverage.
10. At no time did you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, disclose to the seminar attendees
that the plan carried a $4,000.00 annual premium.
11. On or about November 20, 2006, consumer W.B., of Melbourne, FL, attended the
seminar and applied for coverage with the Universal “Any, Any, Any” plan. At the time of the
application, W.B. had health coverage through Wellcare, and was paying $93.50 per month for
Medicare Part B coverage.
12. - Upon receipt of his new policy and ID card approximately two months later, W.B.
discovered that the “Any, Any, Any” plan required him to pay a $4,000.00 annual premium.
13, On January 4, 2007, W.B. went to the doctor for back pain. Once there, W.B. was
informed that his physician did not.accept Universal coverage. As a result, not all of W.B.’s
medical bills for that visit were paid by Universal.
14. Thereafter, W.B. continued to discover that his doctors did not accept Universal's
“Any, Any, Any” plan, forcing him to pay out of pocket for medical services rendered on
January 9 and 23, 2007.
15. When W.B. asked for a list of approved doctors who would accept the “Any, Any,
Any” plan, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, told him to contact one of your agents. The agent
was unable to provide W.B. the requested information.
16. In February 2007, prior to the annual premium coming due, W.B. cancelled his
Universal plan and returned to Wellcare.
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FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? May. 29 2669 8:45AM Pe
17. You, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, knew, or should have known, that “Any, Any,
Any” plan’s name was misleading, that, despite its name, plenty of doctors did not accept
Universal and therefore would not honor the “Any, Any, Any” plan, and that the plan did not
provide sufficient coverage for W.B.’s medical needs,
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, have violated or
are accountable under one or more of the following provisions of the Florida Statutes or Florida
Administrative Code, which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of your licenses
as a Florida insurance agent:
(a). Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of
insurance, [Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes};
(b) Demonstrated lack of reasonably adequate knowledge and technical competence
to engage in the transactions authorized by the license or appointment. [Section 626.611(8),
Florida Statutes];
(c) Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the
license or appointment. [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(d) In the conduct of business under the license or appointment, engaging in unfair
methods of competition or in unfair or deceptive acta or practices, 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 [Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
(e) Knowingly making, issuing, circulating, or causing to be made, issued, or
circulated, any estimate, illustration, circular, statement, sales presentation, omission, or
comparison, which misrepresents the benefits, advantages, conditions, or terms of any insurance
policy. [Section 626.9541(1)(a)1., Florida Statutes]; .
(f) Uses any name or title of any insurance policy or class of insurance policies
misrepresenting the true nature thereof. [Section 626.9541(1)(a)5., Florida Statutes];
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(g) Knowingly making, publishing, disseminating, circulating, or placing before the
public, or causing, directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, or
placed before the public...an advertisement, announcement, or statement containing any
assertion, representation, or statement with respect to he business of insurance, which is untrue,
deceptive, or misleading. [Section 626,9541(1)(b), Florida Statutes);
(h) Knowingly making any misleading representations or incomplete or fraudulent
comparisons or fraudulent material omissions of or with respect to any insurance policies or
insurers for the purpose of inducing or tending to induce, any person to lapse, forfeit, surrender,
terminate, retain, pledge, assign, borrow on, or convert any insurance policy or to take out a
policy of insurance in another insurer. [Section 626.9541(1)(), Florida Statutes],
COUNT II
18. The above General Allegations are realleged and incorporated herein by
reference.
19. On January 30, 2007, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, visited the home of
consumer J.M. and his wife, M.M., of Melbourne, FL, to discuss financial options for their
retirement.
20. You, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, discussed with J.M and M.M. the possibility of
purchasing annuities using funds from their IRA accounts.
21. You, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, also discussed the possibility of J.M.
purchasing a life insurance policy.
22. On your advice and believing you, GERAILD SCOTT ADAMS, to be acting in
his best interests, J.M. applied for a life insurance policy through Shenandoah Life Insurance
Company (“Shenandoah”).
23. At that time, JM, and his wife, M.M., also signed applications, which, you,
May 29 2009 9:35
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GERALD SCOTT. ADAMS, presented, for two flexible premium indexed deferred annuities
through American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company (“American Equity”).
24. You, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, failed to inform J.M. and M.M. of material
facts about the annuities, including the 17-year life of the annuities and surrender charges of up
to 17.5% of each annuity’s total value.
25, J.M. and M.M, told you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, that they did not want the
annuity applications processed unless J.M.’s life insurance policy was approved.
26, Thereafter, J.M failed to pass Shenandoah’s required physical examination and
his life insurance application was declined,
27. Nevertheless, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, submitted J.M. and M.M.’s
annuity applications to American Equity, enrolling them in annuities they did not want or need,
28. Subsequent to the annuity sales, J.M. contacted you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS,
on several occasions to clarify specifics of the annuities because they were not explained to him
at the time of the sale. You, GERALID SCOTT ADAMS, failed to resolve J.M.’s concerns
about the annuities.
29. Additionally, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, failed to refund in a timely
manner the $2,066.70 premium J.M. submitted to Shenandoah for a life insurance policy that
was never issued.
30, You, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, knew, or should have known, that J.M. and
M.M.’s annuity applications were not to be submitted unless J.M. obtained life insurance with
Shenandoah, that they were not fully informed about the annuities they purchased, and that
J.M.’s premium payment should have been remitted to him immediately following the denial of
his life insurance application.
May 29 2009 9:35
FROM : DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAs NO. : 8564874987 May. 29 2689 BS:46AM Po
IT 1S THEREFORE CHARGED that you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, have violated or
are accountable under one or more of the following provisions of the Florida Statutes or Florida
Administrative Code, which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of your licenses
as a Florida insurance agent:
(a) Demonstrated lack of filness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of
insurance. [Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes];
(b) Demonstrated Jack of reasonably adequate knowledge and technical competence
to engage in the transactions authorized by the license or appointment. [Section 626.611(8),
Florida Statutes];
(c) Engaged in fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the
license or appointment. [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(d) Misappropriation, conversion, or unlawful withholding of moncys belonging to
insurers or insureds or beneficiaries or to others and received in conduct of business under the
license or appointment. [Section 626.611(10), Florida Statutes];
(e) In the conduct of business under the license or appointment, engaging in unfair
methods of competition or in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, 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 [Section 626,621(6), Florida Statutes];
(f) Knowingly made a false or fraudulent statement or representation on an
application for an insurance policy for the purpose of obtaining a fee, commission, or other
benefit. [Section 626.9541(1)(k)(1), Florida Statutes].
WHEREFORE, you, GERALD SCOTT ADAMS, 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 penaltics as may be provided under the
provisions of Scctions 626.611, 626.621, 626.681, 626.691, 626.692, and 626.9521, Florida
May 29 2009 9:36
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? May. 29 28689 88:46AM Pla
Statutes, and under the other referenced Sections of the Florida Statutes as set out in this
Administrative Complaint.
You have the right to request a proceeding to contest this action by the 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 RNTERED 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
qualiticd representative of the respondent (if any) upon whom service of pleadings and other
May 29 2009 9:36
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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 resporident 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, Jn 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.
May 29 2009 9:36
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? May. 29 2889 8:47AM Pl2
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.
{
DATED and SIGNED this_ Us“ day oi Thnucct 20091
Tammy Teston
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
May 29 2009 9:37
FROM : DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAs NO. : 8564874987 May. 29 2689 BE:47AM P13
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
DIVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES
IN THE MATTER OF:
GERALD SCOTT ADAMS CASE NO.: 100155-08-AG
/
ELECTION OF PROCEEDING
Thave received and have read the Administrative Complaint filed by the Florida Department of Financial Services
("Department") against me, including the Notice of Rights contained therein, and J understand my options. Iam requesting
disposition of this matter as indicated below. (CHOOSE ONE)
Ltd 1 do not dispute any of the Department’s factual allegations and I do pot desire a hearing. I understand that by
waiving my right to a hearing, the Department may enter a fine order that adopts the Administrative Complaint and
imposes the sanctions sought, including suspending of revoking my licenses and appointments as may be
appropriate.
2. 1 donot dispute any of the Department's factual allegations and I hereby elect a proceeding to be conducted in
accordance with Section 120.57(2), Florida Statutes. In this regard, ] desire to (CHOOSE ONE):
{] Submit a written statement and documentary evidence in lieu of a hearing; or
in| Personally attend a hearing conducted by a department hearing officer in Tallahassee; or
{] Attend that same hearing by way of a telephone conference call.
3. [J ( do dispute one or more of the Department's factual allegations, T hereby request a hearing pursuant to Section
120.57(1), Florida Statutes, to be held before the Division of Administrative Hearings, | have attached to this
election form the infortnation required by Rule 28-106.2015, Florida Administrative Code, as specified in
subparagraph (c) of the Notice of Rights. Specifically, | have identified the disputed issues of material fact.
TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO A HEARING, YOU MUST FILE YOUR RESPONSE WITH ‘THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCIAL SERVICES WITHIN TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS OF YOUR RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT. THE RESPONSE MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON THE
TWENTY-FIRST DAY AFTER YOUR RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT.
The address for filing is; General Counsel acting as Agency Cleric, Florida Department of Financial Services, 612 Larson
Building, 200 Gast Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333.
Signature Print Name
Tate: Address: __ lon tm
Date Administrative vo ae
Complaint Received:
If you are represented by an attorney or qualified Phone Na,;
representative, please attach to this election form his
or her name, address, telephone and fax numbers Fax No,: eee te ene ee
May 29 2009 9:37
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? May. 29 2889 8:47AM P14
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
1 HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT and ELECTION OF PROCEEDING has been furnished by Certified Mail to:
Gerald Scott Adams, Post Office Box 15059, Clearwater, Florida 33766-5059, and R, Nathan
Ilightower, Esq., General Counsel, AmeriLife Group LLC, 2536 Countryside Boulevard, Sixth
Floor, Clearwater, Florida 33763-1639 this Wal day of Sarvacd _» 2009.
Blaffk Jackson
Assistant General Counsel
Department of Financial Services
Division of Legal Services
612 Larson Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333
850-413-4269
Docket for Case No: 09-002959PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Jan. 04, 2010 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Dec. 29, 2009 |
Joint Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Dec. 23, 2009 |
Notice of Transfer.
|
Nov. 20, 2009 |
Petitioner's First Privilege Log filed.
|
Nov. 20, 2009 |
Department of Financial Services' Response to Respondent's Request to Produce filed.
|
Oct. 22, 2009 |
Respondent's First Request for Production of Documents to Petitioner filed.
|
Oct. 21, 2009 |
Order Granting Amended Motion for Taking Deposition by Telephone.
|
Oct. 21, 2009 |
Respondent's Response to Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
|
Oct. 19, 2009 |
Notice of Withdrawal of Motion to Compel Answers to Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent filed.
|
Oct. 19, 2009 |
Amended Motion for Taking Deposition by Telephone filed.
|
Oct. 16, 2009 |
Motion for Taking Deposition by Telephone filed.
|
Oct. 16, 2009 |
Notice of Taking Deposition (of G. Adams) filed.
|
Oct. 15, 2009 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for January 12 and 13, 2010; 9:00 a.m.; Viera, FL).
|
Oct. 14, 2009 |
Petitioner's Motion to Compel Answers to Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent filed.
|
Oct. 08, 2009 |
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |
Oct. 07, 2009 |
Respondent's Response to Petitioner's Motion for Continuance filed.
|
Oct. 06, 2009 |
Motion for Continuance filed.
|
Sep. 14, 2009 |
Notice of Taking Deposition (of L. Clare) filed.
|
Jul. 08, 2009 |
Notice of Cancellation of Deposition (Joseph Moccio) filed.
|
Jul. 07, 2009 |
Order Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for October 26 and 27, 2009; 9:00 a.m.; Viera, FL).
|
Jul. 07, 2009 |
Order Granting Motion to Amend Administrative Complaint
|
Jul. 07, 2009 |
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |
Jul. 06, 2009 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum (of M. Moccio) filed.
|
Jul. 06, 2009 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum (of W. Bizieff) filed.
|
Jul. 06, 2009 |
Notice of Taking Deposition (3) filed.
|
Jul. 01, 2009 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
|
Jun. 30, 2009 |
Notice of Service of Department of Financial Services' First Set of Interrogatories filed.
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Jun. 30, 2009 |
Petitioner Department of Financial Services' First Request for Production filed.
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Jun. 30, 2009 |
First Amended Administrative Complaint filed.
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Jun. 30, 2009 |
Motion for Leave to Amend Adminsitrative Complaint filed.
|
Jun. 09, 2009 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Jun. 09, 2009 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for August 13 and 14, 2009; 9:00 a.m.; Viera, FL).
|
Jun. 05, 2009 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Jun. 03, 2009 |
Notice of Cancellation of Deposition filed.
|
Jun. 02, 2009 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum (of L. Clare) filed.
|
May 29, 2009 |
Initial Order.
|
May 29, 2009 |
Request for Administrative Hearing filed.
|
May 29, 2009 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
May 29, 2009 |
Agency referral
|
|
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |