Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, DIVISION OF INSURANCE AGENTS AND AGENCY SERVICES
Respondent: EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS
Judges: WILLIAM F. QUATTLEBAUM
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: Clearwater, Florida
Filed: Jan. 09, 2012
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, July 17, 2012.
Latest Update: Jan. 30, 2025
FILED
DEC 07 201
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
JEFF ATWATER ——__Docketed by
IN THE MATTER OF:
CASE NO.: 118583-11-AG
EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS
/
EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS
924 Lake Palms Drive
Largo, Florida 33771
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
You, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, license I.D. # P 134357, 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, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, are
currently licensed in this state as a life including variable annuity and health agent.
2. At all times pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to herein, you, EUGENIA.
STEWART-HARRIS, were licensed in this state as a life including variable annuity and health
agent.
3. Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, the Florida Department of Financial
Services (“Department”) has jurisdiction over your insurance licenses and appointments.
Filed January 9, 2012 3:36 PM Division of Administrative Hearings
COUNT I
4, The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein by
reference.
5. In or around October of 2009, you, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, were contacted
by D.R. of Clearwater, Florida, who was seeking health insurance,
6, In November of 2009, you, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS sold to or assisted D.R.
in purchasing a health insurance policy to be issued through a health benefit association known as
CEO Health Benefits, Inc./AIM Health Plans, Inc. (‘CEO/AIM policy”), which you represented
would provide her with medical insurance benefits.
7. The CEO/AIM policy purchased by D.R through you, EUGENIA STEWART-
HARRIS, was not placed with an authorized insurer and was never underwritten by an authorized
insurer.
8. You, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, knew or should have known that the
CEO/AIM policy purchased by D.R. through you was not placed with an authorized insurer and was
never underwritten by an authorized insurer.
9. You, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, knew or should have known that the
CEO/AIM policy purchased by D.R. through you would not provide the consumer with the health
coverage which she specifically sought to obtain.
10, You, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, received commissions for the CEO/AIM
policy purchased by D.R. through you.
11. During her enrollment in the CEO/AIM policy, consumer D.R. of St. Petersburg,
Florida, incurred over $80,000 in medical expenses which were not paid by the AIM/CEO health
plan. At least some of those expenses would have been covered if the AIM/CEO policy had been
underwritten by an authorized insurer.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, 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) Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for a
licensee to demonstrate a lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of insurance.
(b) Section 626.611(8), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation
to demonstrate lack of reasonably adequate knowledge and technical competence to engage in the
transactions authorized by a license or appointment.
(c) Section 626.621(2), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation to violate
any provision of this code or of any other law applicable to the business of insurance in the course
of dealing under the license or appointment.
(d) Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes, which provides in part that it is a violation of
law, in the conduct of business under a license or appointment, to engage in unfair methods of
competition or in unfair or deceptive acts or practices as prohibited in Part IX of Chapter 626,
Florida Statutes or having otherwise shown himself or herself to be a source of injury or loss to the
public.
(e) Section 626.901(1)(a), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
person to, from offices or by personnel or facilities located in this state, or in any other state or
country, directly or indirectly act as agent for, or otherwise represent or aid on behalf of another,
any insurer not then authorized to transact such insurance in this state in the solicitation,
negotiation, procurement, or effectuation of insurance or annuity contracts, or renewals thereof or in
any other manner represent or assist such an insurer in the transaction of insurance with respect to
subjects of insurance resident, located, or to be performed in this state.
( Section 626.901(2), Florida Statutes, which provides that if an unauthorized insurer
fails to pay in full or in part any claim or loss within the provisions of any insurance contract which
is entered into in violation of this section, any person who knew or reasonably should have known
that such contract was entered into in violation of this section and who solicited, negotiated, took
application for, or effectuated such insurance contract is liable to the insured for the full amount of
the claim or loss not paid.
(g) Section 626.9521(1), Florida Statutes, which provides that no person shall engage in
this state in any trade practice which is defined in Part IX of Chapter 626 as an unfair method of
competition or an unfair or deceptive act or practice involving the business of insurance
(h) Section 626,9541(1)(a)1., Florida Statutes, which provides that it is an unfair method
of competition or an unfair or deceptive act to knowingly make a statement that misrepresents the
benefits, advantages, conditions, or terms of any insurance policy.
(i) Section 626.9541(1)(k)1., Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation to
knowingly make a false or fraudulent written or oral statement on, or relative to, an application or
negotiation for an insurance policy for the purpose of obtaining a fee, commission, money, or other
benefit from any insurer, agent, broker, or individual.
WHEREFORE, you, EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, are hereby notified that the Chief
Financial Officer intends to enter an Order suspending or revoking your licenses and appointments
as an insurance agent and imposing such penalties as may be provided under the provisions of
Sections 626.611, 626.621, 626.681, 626.691, 626.692, 626.901, 626.910, 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 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 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 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 of 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 rh day of IY CemMber _,2011.
Uy
Greg Thomas
Director, Division of Agent and Agency Services
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT has been furnished to: EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS, 924 Lake Palms Drive,
Largo, Florida 33771, by Certified Mail, restricted delivery, this =? day of Pecan. be
2011.
Za
Assistant General Counsel
Fla. Bar. No.: 0087965
- Department of Financial Services
Division of Legal Services
612 Larson Building
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333
(850) 413-4172
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
DIVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES
IN THE MATTER OF:
EUGENIA STEWART-HARRIS CASE NO.: 118583-11-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, Iam requesting
disposition of this matter as indicated below. (CHOOSE ONE)
1] I 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.
2. 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
C] 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. [] 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: Tracey Beal, 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.:
Docket for Case No: 12-000108PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Jul. 23, 2012 |
Consent Order (filed in Case No. 12-000108PL).
|
Jul. 23, 2012 |
Consent Order filed.
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Jul. 23, 2012 |
Consent Order (filed in Case No. 12-000550PL).
|
Jul. 17, 2012 |
Order Closing Files and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Jul. 09, 2012 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
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Jun. 07, 2012 |
Order Continuing Cases in Abeyance (parties to advise status by August 1, 2012).
|
Jun. 01, 2012 |
Case Status Update filed.
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May 11, 2012 |
Respondent, Benco Insurance Planners, Inc.'s Notice of Service of Objections and Response to Department of Financial Services' Second Set of Interrogatories filed.
|
May 07, 2012 |
Notice of Service of Petitioner's Second Set of Interrogatories to Respondent Benco filed.
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May 02, 2012 |
Order Continuing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by June 1, 2012).
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May 01, 2012 |
Case Status Update filed.
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Mar. 12, 2012 |
Notice of Serving Petitioner's Responses to Respondent Benco Insurance Planners, Inc.'s First Set of Interrogatories filed.
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Mar. 12, 2012 |
Notice of Serving Petitioner's Responses to Respondent Benco Insurance Planners, Inc.'s First Request to Produce filed.
|
Mar. 06, 2012 |
Respondent, Benco Insurance Planners, Inc.'s Objections and Responses to Petitioner, Department of Financial Services' First Request for Production filed.
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Mar. 05, 2012 |
Order Continuing Cases in Abeyance (parties to advise status by May 1, 2012).
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Feb. 29, 2012 |
Case Status Update filed.
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Feb. 29, 2012 |
Respondent, Benco Insurance Planners, Inc.'s Objections and Responses to Petitioner's Department of Financial Services' First Request for Admissions filed.
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Feb. 29, 2012 |
Respondent, Benco Insurance Planner's Inc.'s Notice of Service of Objections and Responses to Petitioner, Department of Financial Services First Set of Interrogatories filed.
|
Feb. 22, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (Benjamin Grossman; filed in Case No. 12-000550PL).
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Feb. 22, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (Melissa Coffey; filed in Case No. 12-000550PL).
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Feb. 22, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (Melissa Coffey) filed.
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Feb. 21, 2012 |
Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 11-6490, 12-0108PL, and 12-0550PL).
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Jan. 31, 2012 |
Order Canceling Hearing and Placing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by March 1, 2012).
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Jan. 23, 2012 |
Petitioner Department of Financial Service' Motion to Abate Consolidated Proceedings filed.
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Jan. 20, 2012 |
Amended Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Jan. 20, 2012 |
Amended Notice of Hearing (hearing set for March 7 through 9, 2012; 9:30 a.m.; Clearwater, FL; amended as to case style).
|
Jan. 20, 2012 |
Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 11-6490 and 12-0108PL).
|
Jan. 20, 2012 |
Notice of Transfer.
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Jan. 19, 2012 |
Petitioner Department of Financial Services' Motion to Consolidate filed.
|
Jan. 18, 2012 |
Petitioner?s Request for Admissions filed.
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Jan. 18, 2012 |
Petitioner Department of Financial Services First Request for Production filed.
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Jan. 18, 2012 |
Notice of Service of Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent filed.
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Jan. 17, 2012 |
Response to Initial Order filed.
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Jan. 10, 2012 |
Initial Order.
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Jan. 09, 2012 |
Agency referral filed.
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Jan. 09, 2012 |
Election of Proceeding filed.
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Jan. 09, 2012 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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