Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Respondent: LOTSOLUTIONS, INC.
Judges: W. DAVID WATKINS
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: Tallahassee, Florida
Filed: Dec. 05, 2012
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.
Latest Update: Nov. 14, 2024
FILED
OCT 29 2012
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
JEFF ATWATER
STATE OF FLORIDA Docketed by
IN THE MATTER OF:
LOTSOLUTIONS, INC. . CASE NO.: 129242-12-AG
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
LOTSOLUTIONS, INC.
through National Corporate Research, Ltd.,
its registered agent,
3675 Crestwood Parkway, Suite 350
Duluth, GA 30096
You, LOTSOLUTIONS, INC. (“LOTSolutions”), license ILD. #P003223, 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 a managing general agent, home warranty sales
firm, and service warranty sales firm in this state, as a result of which it is alleged:
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
1. Pursuant to Chapters 626 and 634, Florida Statutes, you, LOTSolutions, are
currently licensed in this state as non-resident managing general agent, home warranty sales
7 firm, and service warranty sales firm.
2. At all times pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to herein, you,
LOTSolutions, were licensed in this state as a non-resident managing general agent, home
warranty sales firm, and service warranty sales firm.
Filed December 5, 2012 3:31 PM Division of Administrative Hearings
3. Global Warranty Group, LLC (“Global”) does not hold any licenses or
registrations issued under or pursuant to Chapters 624-632, 634, 635, 636, 641, 642, 648 and
651, Florida Statutes (2012) (collectively referred to as “Florida Insurance Code”).
4. At all times relevant to the dates and occurrences referred to herein, Global did
not hold any licenses or registrations issued under or pursuant to the Florida Insurance Code.
5. Pursuant to Chapters 626 and 634, Florida Statutes, the Florida Department of
Financial Services (“Department”) has jurisdiction over your insurance licenses and
appointments.
6. On October 21, 2009, Global submitted an application to the Department for
licensure as a non-resident service warranty sales firm (“2009 Application”).
7. The Department closed the 2009 Application as deficient when Global failed to
furnish requested documents related to Mr. Charles Pipia’s criminal history. Pipia, one of
Global’s managers, was convicted of attempted enterprise fraud in the State of New York. The
crime of attempted enterprise fraud is a felony.
8. On February 25, 2011, Global submitted an application to the Department for
licensure as a non-resident service warranty sales firm (“2011 Application”).
9. The 2011 Application was closed as deficient by the Department when, once
again, Global failed to furnish requested documents related to Mr. Pipia’s criminal history.
10. _ Pipia’s criminal history prevents him, as well as any company that he manages or
controls or is a majority owner, partner, manager, director or officer of, from obtaining a license
from the Department. Section 626.207, Fla. Stat.
COUNT I
11. The general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein by
reference.
12. On or around May 1, 2009, you, LOTSolutions, entered into an Administrative
Services Agreement (“Agreement”) with Global. .
13. Through the Agreement, Global oversees the Wireless Protection Program on
behalf of Lyndon Southern Insurance Company (“Lyndon Southern”).
14. The Wireless Protection Program covers cell phones for loss, theft, mechanical
failure, malfunction, or damage for portable electronics.
15. The Wireless Protection Program is, and at all times material hereto has been, a
limited lines insurance product. Section 626.321, Fla. Stat.
16. A limited lines insurance agent license is, and at all times material hereto has
been, required to sell the Wireless Protection Program to the public. Section 626.321, Fla. Stat.
17. Global does not sell the Wireless Protection Program. Rather, Global contracts
with other persons, such as Ensquared Holdings LLC, One Shop Wireless, Mobility Safe Inc.,
and Automotive Technologies Inc. (dba Wireless Zone), who in turn sell the Wireless Protection
Program to the public.
18. | However, neither Ensquared Holdings LLC, One Shop Wireless, Mobility Safe
Inc., nor Automotive Technologies Inc. (dba Wireless Zone) hold a limited lines insurance agent
license. |
19. Limited lines insurance agents are, and at all times material hereto were, required
to have a contractual relationship with a general lines agent. Section 626.321, Fla. Stat.
20. Pursuant to the Agreement, you, LOTSolutions, required Global to perform the
following services, and Global did perform the following services, in relation to the insurance
products/policies offered through the Wireless Protection Program (“Insurance Policies”):
a. receive insurance premiums;
b. receive fiduciary funds on behalf of yourself and/or Lyndon Southern;
c. maintain insurance premiums in a bank account;
d. maintain fiduciary funds belonging to yourself and/or Lyndon Southern in a
bank account;
e. produce and distribute all forms and materials to implement the Insurance
Policies;
f. perform all functions relating to the marketing of the Insurance Policies;
g. perform all policyholder services including but not limited to recordkeeping,
calls, correspondence, notices, inquiries, complaints, corrections, owner and beneficiary changes,
and claims administration;
h. perform all billing, collection, processing, accounting, safekeeping, and
disbursement of premiums, premium refunds, commissions, fees and charges, benefits,
reinsurance settlements, taxes and any other settlements with parties entitled thereto under the
Insurance Policies and the Agreement;
i, electronically report to you, LOTSolutions, and other appropriate parties
hereunder all premium, premium refund, commission, claims, tax, banking, accounting,
financial, reserve, actuarial, marketing, and service standard information;
j. claims administration in accordance with the procedures mutually agreed upon
by you, LOTSolutions, and Global (changed as of March 29, 2011, claims administration in
accordance with the procedures established by Lyndon Southern); and
k. electronically report to the taxpayers entitled thereto of all federal, state, and
municipal taxation information relating to the Insurance Policies, including but not limited to
income tax, 1099s, DAC tax, excise tax, premium tax, municipal tax, and state guaranty fund
assessments.
21. An insurance agency is defined as “a business location at which an individual,
firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other entity, other than an employee of the
individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other entity and other than an insurer as
defined by s. 624.03 or an adjuster as defined by subsection (1), engages in any activity or
employs individuals to engage in any activity which by law may be performed only by a licensed
insurance agent.” Section 626.015(8), Fla. Stat.
22. The Agreement that you, LOTSolutions, entered into with Global requires Global
to engage in the transaction of insurance through, including but not limited to: 1) solicitation or
inducement; 2) effectuation of a contract of insurance; and 3) transaction of matters subsequent
to effectuation of a contract of insurance and arising out of it.
23. The Agreement that you, LOTSolutions, entered into with Global requires Global
to engage in the solicitation of insurance through, including but not limited to: 1) describing the
benefits or terms of insurance coverage, including premiums or rates of return; 2) distributing
invitations to contract to prospective purchasers; 3) completing orders or applications for
insurance products; and/or 4) advising as to insurance matters, or interpreting policies or
coverages.
24. The Agreement that you, LOTSolutions, entered into with Global requires Global
to engage in the activities of a general lines agent, included but not limited to: 1) soliciting
insurance or procuring applications therefor; 2) in this state, receiving or issuing a receipt for
any money on account of or for any insurer, or receiving or issuing a receipt for money from
other persons to be transmitted to any insurer for a policy, contract, or certificate of insurance or
any renewal thereof, even though the policy, certificate, or contract is not signed by him or her as
agent or representative of the insurer; 3) collecting or forwarding any insurance premium, or
soliciting, negotiating, effecting, procuring, receiving, delivering, or forwarding, directly or
indirectly, any insurance contract or renewal thereof or any endorsement relating to an insurance
contract, or attempt to effect the same, of property or insurable business activities or interests,
located in this state; and/or 4) in any way, directly or indirectly, making or causing to be made,
or attempting to make or causing to be made, any contract of insurance for or on account of any
insurer.
25. At least since May of 2009, Global acted as, and was, an insurance agency.
26. At least since May of 2009, Global was required to be licensed or registered as an
insurance agency.
27. At least since May of 2009, Global acted as, and was, an independent insurance
adjusting firm.
28. At least since May of 2009 to September 30, 2012, Global was required to be
licensed as an independent insurance adjusting firm.
29. Since October 1, 2012, Global has been required to be licensed as an independent
insurance adjusting firm or an all-lines adjusting firm.
31. You, LOTSolutions, knew, or should have known, that, at all times pertinent to
the dates and occurrences referenced herein, Global did not hold any licenses ‘or registrations
issued under or pursuant to the Florida Insurance Code.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, LOTSolutions, 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 all your
licenses in this state, including but not limited to your managing general agent, home warranty
sales firm, and service warranty sales firm licenses:
(a) Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes, which provides that itis a violation for any
agent 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 for any
agent to demonstrate a lack of reasonably adequate knowledge and technical competence to
engage in the transactions authorized by license or appointment.
(c) Section 626.621(2), Florida Statutes, which provides that violating any provision
of the Florida Insurance 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.
(d) Section 626.621(3), Florida Statutes, which provides, that a violation of any
lawful order or rule of the department, commission, or office, is, in itself, a violation of law.
(e) Section 626.621(12), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
agent to knowingly aid, assist, procure, advise, or abet any person in the violation of or to violate
a provision of the Florida Insurance Code or any order or rule of the department, commission, or
office.
(f) Section 626.9571(1), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
person to engage in the business of insurance without being properly licensed.
(g) Section 626.112(7), Florida Statutes, requires all insurance agencies to file an
application for licensure or registration on or before October 1, 2006.
(h) — Section 626.9581(1), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
person to engage in the unlawful transaction of insurance.
(i) Section 624.10, Florida Statues, provides that transacting insurance includes any
of the following, in addition to other applicable provisions of the Florida Insurance Code:
1) solicitation or inducement; 2) preliminary negotiations; 3) effectuation of a contract of
insurance; and 4) transaction of matters subsequent to effectuation of a contract of insurance
and arising out of it.
(j) Section 624.11, Florida Statutes, no person shall transact insurance in this state, or
relative to a subject of insurance resident, located, or to be performed in this state, without
complying with the applicable provisions of this code.
(k) Section 626.112(1)(b), Florida Statutes, which states that a license as an insurance
agent, service representative, customer representative, or limited customer representative is
required in order to engage in the solicitation of insurance. For purposes of this requirement, as
applicable to any of the license types described in this section, the solicitation of insurance is the
attempt to persuade any person to purchase an insurance product by:
1. Describing the benefits or terms of insurance coverage, including premiums or rates
of return;
2. Distributing an invitation to contract to prospective purchasers;
4. Completing orders or applications for insurance products; or
5. Comparing insurance products, advising as to insurance matters, or interpreting
policies or coverages.
() Section 626.7315, Florida Statutes, which states that no individual shall, unless
licensed as a general lines agent:
(1) Solicit insurance or procure applications therefor;
(2) In this state, receive or issue a receipt for any money on account of or for any
insurer, or receive or issue a receipt for money from other persons to be transmitted to any
insurer for a policy, contract, or certificate of insurance or any renewal thereof, even though the
policy, certificate, or contract is not signed by him or her as agent or representative of the
insurer, except as provided in s, 626.0428(1);
(3) Directly or indirectly represent himself or herself to be an agent of any insurer or as
an agent, to collect or forward any insurance premium, or to solicit, negotiate, effect, procure,
receive, deliver, or forward, directly or indirectly, any insurance contract or renewal thereof or
any endorsement relating to an insurance contract, or attempt to effect the same, of property or
insurable business activities or interests, located in this state;
(5) In any way, directly or indirectly, make or cause to be made, or attempt to make or
cause to be made, any contract of insurance for or on account of any insurer.
(m) Section 626.321, Florida Statutes (2011), which states:
(1) The department shall issue to a qualified individual, or a qualified individual or
entity under paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (i), a license as agent authorized to transact a limited
class of business in any of the following categories:
(2. A license covering only communications equipment, for the loss, theft, mechanical
failure, malfunction of or damage to, communications equipment. The license may be issued
only to: {
a. Employees or authorized representatives of a licensed general lines agent;
b. The lead business location of a retail vendor of communications equipment and its
branch locations; or
c. Employees, agents, or authorized representatives of a retail vendor of
communications equipment.
The license authorizes the sale of such policies, or certificates under a group master
policy, only with respect to the sale of, or provision of communications service for,
communications equipment. A general lines agent is not required to obtain a license under this
subparagraph to offer or sell communications equipment property insurance or communication
equipment inland marine insurance. The license also authorizes sales of service warranty
agreements covering only communications equipment to the same extent as if licensed under s.
634.419 or s. 634.420. ... Licensees offering policies under this subparagraph must receive
initial training from, and have a contractual relationship with, a general lines agent. For the
purposes of this subparagraph, the term “communications equipment” means handsets, pagers,
personal digital assistants, portable computers, automatic answering devices, and other devices
or accessories used to originate or receive communications signals or service, and includes
services related to the use of such devices, such as consumer access to a wireless network .... A
branch location of a retail vendor of communications equipment licensed pursuant to paragraph
(2)(b) may, in lieu of obtaining an appointment from an insurer or warranty association as
provided in paragraph (2)(c), obtain a single appointment from the associated lead business
10
location licensee licensed under paragraph (2)(a) and pay the prescribed appointment fee under s.
624.501 provided the lead business location has a single appointment from each insurer or
warranty association represented and such appointment provides that it applies to the lead
business location and all of its branch locations. .. . Branch location appointments shall be
renewed on the first annual anniversary of licensure of the lead business location occurring more
than 24 months after the initial appointment date and every 24 months thereafter. . . .
(2) Anentity applying for a license under this section is required to:
(a) Submit only one application for a license under s. 626.171. The requirements of s.
626.171(4) shall only apply to the officers and directors of the entity submitting the application.
(c) Pay the applicable fees for a license as prescribed in s. 624.501, be appointed under
s. 626.112, and pay the prescribed appointment fee under s. 624.501. A licensed and appointed
entity shall be directly responsible and accountable for all acts of the licensee’s employees.
(4) Except as otherwise expressly provided, a person applying for or holding a limited
license shall be subject to the same applicable requirements and responsibilities as apply to
general lines agents in general, if licensed as to... communications equipment property
insurance or communications equipment inland marine insurance. . . .
(n) Section 626.321, Florida Statutes (2012), which states:
(1) The department shall issue to a qualified applicant a license as agent authorized to
transact a limited class of business in any of the following categories of limited lines insurance:
(h) _- Portable electronics insurance.— License for property insurance or inland marine
insurance that covers only loss, theft, mechanical failure, malfunction, or damage for portable
electronics.
1. The license may be issued only to:
11
a. Employees or authorized representatives of a licensed general lines agent; or
b. The lead business location of a retail vendor that sells portable electronics insurance.
The lead business location must have a contractual relationship with a general lines agent.
2. Employees or authorized representatives of a licensee under subparagraph 1. may
sell or offer for sale portable electronics coverage without being subject to licensure as an
insurance agent if:
a. Such insurance is sold or offered for sale at a licensed location or at one of the
licensee’s branch locations if the branch location is appointed by the licensed lead business
location or its appointing insurers;
b. The insurer issuing the insurance directly supervises or appoints a general lines agent
to supervise the sale of such insurance, including the development of a training program for the
employees and authorized representatives of vendors that are directly engaged in the activity of
selling or offering the insurance; and
c. At each location where the insurance is offered, brochures or other written materials
that provide the information required by this subparagraph are made available to all prospective
customers. The brochures or written materials may include information regarding portable
electronics insurance, service warranty agreements, or other incidental services or benefits
offered by a licensee.
3. Individuals not licensed to sell portable electronics insurance may not be paid
commissions based on the sale of such coverage. However, a licensee who uses a compensation
plan for employees and authorized representatives which includes supplemental compensation
for the sale of noninsurance products, in addition to a regular salary or hourly wages, may
12
include incidental compensation for the sale of portable electronics insurance as a component of
the overall compensation plan.
5. A licensed and appointed general lines agent is not required to obtain a portable
electronics insurance license to offer or sell portable electronics insurance at locations already
licensed as an insurance agency, but may apply for a portable electronics insurance license for
branch locations not otherwise licensed to sell insurance.
6. A portable electronics license authorizes the sale of individual policies or certificates
under a group or master insurance policy. The license also authorizes the sale of service warranty
agreements covering only portable electronics to the same extent as if licensed under s. 634.419
or s. 634.420.
7. A licensee may bill and collect the premium for the purchase of portable electronics
insurance provided that:
a. If the insurance is included with the purchase or lease of portable electronics or
related services, the licensee clearly and conspicuously discloses that insurance coverage is
included with the purchase. Disclosure of the stand-alone cost of the premium for same or
similar insurance must be made on the customer’s bill and in any marketing materials made
available at the point of sale. If the insurance is not included, the charge to the customer for the
insurance must be separately itemized on the customer’s bill.
b. Premiums are incidental to other fees collected, are maintained in a manner that is
readily identifiable, and are accounted for and remitted to the insurer or supervising entity within
60 days of receipt. Licensees are not required to maintain such funds in a segregated account.
13
c. All funds received by a licensee from an enrolled customer for the sale of the
insurance are considered funds held in trust by the licensee in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit
of the insurer. Licensees may receive compensation for billing and collection services.
11. A branch location that sells portable electronics insurance may, in lieu of obtaining
an appointment from an insurer or warranty association, obtain a single appointment from the
associated lead business location licensee and pay the prescribed appointment fee under s.
624.501 if the lead business location has a single appointment from each insurer or warranty
association represented and such appointment applies to the lead business location and all of its
branch locations. Branch location appointments shall be renewed 24 months after the initial
appointment date of the lead business location and every 24 months thereafter. Notwithstanding
s, 624.501, the renewal fee applicable to such branch location appointments is $30 per
appointment.
12. For purposes of this paragraph:
a. “Branch location” means any physical location in this state at which a licensee offers
its products or services for sale.
b. “Portable electronics” means personal, self-contained, easily carried by an
individual, battery-operated electronic communication, viewing, listening, recording, gaming,
computing or global positioning devices, including cell or satellite phones, pagers, personal
global positioning satellite units, portable computers, portable audio listening, video viewing or
recording devices, digital cameras, video camcorders, portable gaming systems, docking stations,
automatic answering devices, and other similar devices and their accessories, and service related
to the use of such devices.
14
c. “Portable electronics transaction” means the sale or lease of portable electronics or a
related service, including portable electronics insurance.
(2) An entity applying for a license under this section is required to:
(a) Submit only one application for a license under s. 626.171. The requirements of s.
626.171(4) shall only apply to the officers and directors of the entity submitting the application.
(c) Pay the applicable fees for a license as prescribed in s. 624.501, be appointed under
s. 626.112, and pay the prescribed appointment fee under s. 624.501. A licensed and appointed
entity shall be directly responsible and accountable for all acts of the licensee’s employees.
(4) Except as otherwise expressly provided, a person applying for or holding a limited
license is subject to the same applicable requirements and responsibilities that apply to general
lines agents in general if licensed as to. . . portable electronics insurance. . .
(0) Section 626.112(4), Florida Statutes, states no person shall act as an adjuster as to
any class of business for which he or she is not then licensed and appointed.
(p) Section 626.8695, Florida Statutes, states:
(2)(a) For purposes of this section, a “primary adjuster” is the licensed adjuster who is
responsible for the hiring and supervision of all individuals within an adjusting firm location who
deal with the public and who acts in the capacity of a public adjuster as defined in s. 626.854, or
an independent adjuster as defined in s. 626.855. An adjuster may be designated as a primary
adjuster for only one adjusting firm location.
(b) For purposes of this section, an “adjusting firm” is a location where an
independent or public adjuster is engaged in the business of insurance.
(6) An adjusting firm location may not conduct the business of insurance unless a
primary adjuster is designated. Failure of the person operating the adjusting firm to designate a
15
primary adjuster for the firm, or for each location, as applicable, on a form prescribed by the
department within 30 days after inception of the firm or change of primary adjuster designation,
constitutes grounds for requiring the adjusting firm to obtain an adjusting firm license pursuant
to s. 626.8696.
(q) Section 626.855, Florida Statutes (2011), states an “independent adjuster” is any
person who is self-employed or is associated with or employed by an independent adjusting firm
or other independent adjuster, and who undertakes on behalf of an insurer to ascertain and
determine the amount of any claim, loss, or damage payable under an insurance contract or
undertakes to effect settlement of such claim, loss, or damage.
(r) Section 626.855, Florida Statutes (2012), states an “independent adjuster” means
a person licensed as an all-lines adjuster who is self-appointed or appointed and employed by an
independent adjusting firm or other independent adjuster, and who undertakes on behalf of an
insurer to ascertain and determine the amount of any claim, loss, or damage payable under an
insurance contract or undertakes to effect settlement of such claim, loss, or damage.
(s) Section 626.8548, Florida Statutes (2012), states an “all-lines adjuster” is a person
who is self-employed or employed by an insurer, a wholly owned subsidiary of an insurer, or an
independent adjusting firm or other independent adjuster, and who undertakes on behalf of an
insurer or other insurers under common control or ownership to ascertain and determine the
amount of any claim, loss, or damage payable under an insurance contract or undertakes to effect
settlement of such claim, loss, or damage. The term does not apply to life insurance or annuity
contracts.
() Section 626.8548(1), Florida Statutes (2012), states this part does not apply to any
individual who collects claims information from, or furnishes claims information to, insureds or
16
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claimants, and who conducts data entry, including entering data into an automated claims
adjudication system, provided that the individual is an employee of a business entity licensed
under this chapter, or its affiliate, and no more than 25 such persons are under the supervision of
one licensed independent adjuster or licensed agent who is exempt from licensure pursuant to s.
626.862.
(u) —_ Section 634.4320(5), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
warranty sales representative to have demonstrated a lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage
in the business of home warranty.
(v) Section 634,422(5), Florida Statutes, which provides that it is a violation for any
warranty sales representative to have demonstrated a lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage
in the business of service warranty.
WHEREFORE, you, LOTSolutions, are hereby notified that the Chief Financial Officer
intends to enter an Order suspending or revoking all your licenses in this state, including but not
limited to your managing general agent, home warranty sales firm, and service warranty sales
firm licenses, or to impose such penalties as may be provided under the provisions of Sections
626.611, 626.621, 626.681, 626.691, 626.9521, 634.320, 634.3225, 634.323, 634.420, 634.425,
and 634.426, 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
17
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.
18
(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 free form 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 ont day of ( eA ¢ y\ x 5 , 2012.
j
Gregory Thomas
Director, Agent & Agency Services
20
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT and ELECTION OF PROCEEDING has been furnished to: LOTSOLUTIONS,
INC., through National Corporate Research, Ltd., its registered agent, 3675 Crestwood Parkway,
Suite 350, Duluth, GA 30096, by Certified Mail this 24 day of Occ ‘eer, 2012.
21
Robert Alan Fox
Senior Attorney
Department of Financial Services
Division of Legal Services
612 Larson Building
200 East Gaines Street ;
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
DIVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES
IN THE MATTER OF:
LOTSOLUTIONS, INC. CASE NO.: 129242-12-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)
ce
3.0]
I do not dispute any of the Department’s factual allegations and I do not desire a hearing. I 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):
[] 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
C] 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.:
22
Docket for Case No: 12-003906
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 06, 2013 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 05, 2013 |
Motion to Relinquish and Close File filed.
|
Jan. 02, 2013 |
Respondent, LOTSolutions, Inc.'s Notice of Service of First Set of Interrogatories to Petitioner, Florida Department of Financial Services filed.
|
Jan. 02, 2013 |
Respondent, LOTSolutions, Inc.'s Request for Production of Documents to Petitioner, Department of Financial Services filed.
|
Dec. 21, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (of M. McKown) filed.
|
Dec. 21, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (of K. Walker) filed.
|
Dec. 21, 2012 |
Notice of Appearance (of K. Walker) filed.
|
Dec. 14, 2012 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Dec. 14, 2012 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for February 12 and 13, 2013; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
|
Dec. 13, 2012 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Dec. 06, 2012 |
Initial Order.
|
Dec. 05, 2012 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Dec. 05, 2012 |
LOTSolutions, Inc.'s Response to Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Dec. 05, 2012 |
Election of Proceeding filed.
|
Dec. 05, 2012 |
Agency referral filed.
|