Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, DIVISION OF INSURANCE AGENTS AND AGENCY SERVICES
Respondent: MICHAEL JOSEPH CALDERONE, JR.
Judges: SUSAN BELYEU KIRKLAND
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: New Port Richey, Florida
Filed: Oct. 13, 2011
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
Latest Update: Feb. 27, 2025
- FILED
ae SEP 14 2011
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER =
an Doct by aL
IN THE MATTER OF:
CASE NO. 116862-11-AG
MICHAEL JOSEPH CALDERONE , JR.
/
TO:
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR.
3605 Gamble Street
New Port Richey, FL 34655
You, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, 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, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR., are currently licensed in the state as a life
including variable annuity insurance agent, health insurance agent, life and health insurance
agent and life insurance agent.
2. At all times pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to in. this
Administrative Complaint you, MICHEAL J. CALDERONE, JR., were licensed as an insurance
agent in this state.
Filed October 13, 2011 2:02 PM Division of Administrative Hearings
3. Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, the Chief Financial Officer of the State of
Florida and the Department of Financial Services has jurisdiction over your insurance licenses and
your eligibility for licensure and appointment.
COUNT I
4, The above General Allegations numbered one through three are hereby realleged
and fully incorporated herein by reference.
5. On or about July 31, 2009, insurance agent Michael Brown solicited and sold to
Opal Greathouse, a senior consumer age 88 living in Palm Harbor, Florida, what was purported to
be an ASSI home health care assistance contract. Michael Brown received a check from Opal
Greathouse in the amount of $235.77 in payment for the ASSI contract. Michael Brown instructed
Opal Greathouse to make the check payable not to ASSI, but to American Pioneer Insurance which
she did do.
6. On or about July 31, 2009, you, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR., utilized the
above referenced $235.77 check, without Opal Greathouse’s knowledge or informed consent, and
submitted a fraudulent application to American Pioneer Life for a life insurance policy with the
false signature of Opal Greathouse fraudulently affixed thereto as the purported insured.
7. You, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR., misrepresented on the application that you
had personally met with Opal Greathouse on July 31, 2009, and that all of the information contained
on the application was true and correct. This was a false material statement. At no time pertinent to
the allegations of the complaint, have you, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR., ever personally met
Opal Greathouse and at no time had you had any reason to believe that any of the information
contained in the application was true or correct. In point of fact, Opal Greathouse’s birthyear on the
application submitted by you has been misstated as 1932. Opal Greathouse’s true birthyear is 1922.
This was a false and material misstatement. The insurer would not have issued this policy if this
fact had been disclosed as Opal Greathouse would not have been eligible due to advanced age to
purchase this policy. You, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR., were fully aware or should have
been aware of this fact.
8. The sale of the American Pioneer Life Insurance policy to Opal Greathouse was
fraudulent, not in her best interest, was neither necessary nor appropriate, was without actual or
demonstrable benefit as she was not eligible to purchase the policy due to age, and was done for the
sole purpose of obtaining a fee, commission, money or other benefit from an insurance company,
which you did receive.
9. You, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR., have violated a public trust in violation of
Rule 69B-215.210, Florida Administrative Code which provides:
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.
Asa result, Opal Greathouse has suffered financial harm and great inconvenience and distress.
ITIS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR., have violated
or are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code which constitute
grounds for the suspension or revocation of your license(s) or appointment(s) as an insurance agent
in the state:
(a) Section 626.611(5), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
applicant, agent, title agency, adjuster, customer representative, service representative, or
managing general agent to, either in person or by any form of dissemination of information or
advertising, willfully misrepresent any insurance policy or annuity contract, or willfully deceive
with regard to such policy or contract. |
(b) Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
applicant, agent, title agency, adjuster, customer representative, service representative, or
managing general agent to demonstrate a lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the
business of insurance.
(c) Section 626.611(13), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
applicant, agent, title agency, adjuster, customer representative, service representative, or
managing general agent to willfully fail to comply with, or willfully violate, any proper order or
rule of the department or any provision of this code.
(d) Section 626.621(2), Florida Statutes, which provides that violating any provision
of this Code or any law applicable to the business of insurance in the course of dealing under the
licensure or appointment is, in itself, a violation of law.
(e) Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
applicant, agent, title agency, adjuster, customer representative, service representative, or
managing general agent, in the conduct of business under the license or appointment, to engage
in unfair methods of competition or in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as prohibited under
part IX of this chapter, or otherwise show oneself to be a source of injury or loss to the public
interest.
(63) Section 626.9541(1)(a)1, Florida Statutes, which provides that it is an unfair
method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice, violative of Section 626.9521,
Florida Statutes, to knowingly make, issue, circulate, or cause 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.
(g) Section 626.9541(1)(e)1, Florida Statutes, which provides that it is an unfair method
of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice, violative of Section 626.9521, Florida
Statutes, to knowingly file, make, deliver, place before the public, or cause to be made any false
material statement.
(h) Section 626.9541(1)(k)1, Florida Statutes, which provides that it is an unfair method
of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice, violative of Section 626.9521, Florida
Statutes, to knowingly make a false or fraudulent written statement or representation on, or relative
to, an application for an insurance policy for the purpose of obtaining a commission or other benefit
from an insurer.
WHEREFORE, you, MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR., are hereby notified that the Chief
Financial Officer intends to enter an Order suspending or revoking your licenses, appointments
and your eligibility for licensure as an insurance agent in this state or to impose such penalties as
may be provided under the provisions of Sections 626.611, 626.621, 626.681, 626.691, 626.692,
and 626.9521, Florida Statutes, and under the other referenced sections of the Florida Statutes as
set out in this Administrative Complaint. You are further notified that any order entered in this
case revoking or suspending any license or eligibility for licensure held by you shall also apply
to all other licenses and eligibility held by you under the Florida Insurance Code.
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
You have the right 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 Julie
Jones, DFS Agency Clerk, at the Florida Department of Financial Services, 612 Larson Building,
200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0390. 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 shail 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 noticé 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.
DATED and SIGNED this }4 day of Seplumioer ,2011
Gregory Thomas
Director, Agent and Agency Services
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT and ELECTION OF PROCEEDING has been furnished by electronic Mail to:
MICHAEL J. CALDERONE, JR. at MICIR417@YAHOO.COM on this | U day of
Seplemlber; 2011.
James A. Bossart/ Esquire
ivision of Legal Services
612 Larson Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333
(850) 413-4124
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
DIVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES
IN THE MATTER OF:
MICHAEL JOSEPH CALDERONE, JR. CASE NO.: 116862-11-AG
/
ELECTION OF PROCEEDING
I have 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 I understand my options, I am requesting
disposition of this matter as indicated below. (CHOOSE ONE)
1]
3.0]
1 do not dispute any of the Department’s factual allegations and I do not desire a hearing. 1 understand that by
waiving my right to a hearing, the Department may enter a final order that adopts the Administrative Complaint and
imposes the sanctions sought, including suspending or revoking my licenses and appointments as may be
appropriate,
I do not 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, I desire to (CHOOSE ONE):
C] Submit a written statement and documentary evidence in lieu of a hearing; or
{] Personally attend a hearing conducted by a department hearing officer in Tallahassee; or
0] Attend that same hearing by way of a telephone conference call.
I do dispute one or more of the Department's factual allegations. I hereby request a hearing pursuant to Section
120.57(1), Florida Statutes, to be held before the Division of Administrative Hearings. I have attached to this
election form the information required by Rule 28-106.2015, Florida Administrative Code, as specified in
subparagraph (c) of the Notice of Rights. Specifically, I 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: Julie Jones DFS Agency Clerk, Florida Department of Financial Services, 612 Larson Building, 200
East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0390.
Signature Print Name
Date: Address:
Date Administrative
Complaint Received:
If you are represented by an attorney or qualified Phone No.:
representative, please attach to this election form his
or her name, address, telephone and fax numbers Fax No.:
10
Docket for Case No: 11-005285PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Nov. 08, 2011 |
Order Relinquishing Jurisdiction and Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Nov. 07, 2011 |
Notice of Voluntary Dismissal filed.
|
Nov. 07, 2011 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Nov. 07, 2011 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for December 29, 2011; 9:00 a.m.; New Port Richey, FL).
|
Oct. 25, 2011 |
Order Granting Extension of Time.
|
Oct. 25, 2011 |
Letter to Judge Kirkland from J. Bossart requesting extension of of time in which to respond to initial order filed.
|
Oct. 14, 2011 |
Initial Order.
|
Oct. 13, 2011 |
Agency referral filed.
|
Oct. 13, 2011 |
Election of Proceeding filed.
|
Oct. 13, 2011 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|