Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
Respondent: PHILLIP STRUM
Judges: MICHAEL M. PARRISH
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Filed: Apr. 25, 2000
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Wednesday, September 13, 2000.
Latest Update: Jan. 11, 2025
FILED
THE TREASURER OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA JAN 21 2000
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
BILL NELSON
Oocketed by?,
IN THE MATTER OF: OO -/ 74. /
PHILLIP STRUM CASENO.: 33430-99-
TO:
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
PHILLIP STRUM
15476 NW 77 Ct. #111
Miami, FL 33016
PHILIP STRUM
clo Market U.S.A.
5650 Stirling Road, Suite 22
Hollywood, FL 33021-1523
PHILIP STRUM
1861 N. Federal Highway, Suite 166
Hollywood, FL 33020-2827
7 You, PHILLIP STRUM, are hereby notified that the Insurance Commissioner of the
* State of Florida has caused to be made an investigation oft 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, PHILLIP STRUM, are currently
licensed in this state as a life and health agent and a general lines agent.
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2. At all times pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to herein, you,
PHILLIP STRUM, were licensed in this state as an insurance agent.
3. Pursuant to section 626.561(1), Florida Statutes, all insurance premiums, return
premiums or other funds belonging to insurers or others received by you, PHILLIP STRUM, in
transactions under your licenses, were and remain trust funds received by you in a fiduciary
capacity and were to be accounted for and remitted to an insurer or others entitled thereto in the
applicable regular course of business.
4. Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, the Florida Department of Insurance
has jurisdiction over your insurance licenses and appointments.
COUNT I
5. The above general allegations numbered one (1) through (4) are hereby realleged
and fully incorporated herein by reference.
6. On August 5, 1994, a judgment was entered against you in the Circuit Court of the
Second Judicial Circuit in and for Leon County, Florida directing you, PHILLIP STRUM and
All Service Insurance Agency of Ft. Lauderdale, Ine. jointly and severally, to pay in the
principal sum of two thousand, seven hundred and twenty seven dollars and thirty five cents
($2,727.35), plus accrued interest through June 24, 1994 in the amount of nine hundred and forty
nine © dollars (949.57), plus three hundred dollars ($300. 00) i in attorney” s fees Pursuant to Florida
. Statutes Section 631.154, fora total ‘sum of of three thousand, n nine e hundred and seventy-six dollars
and ninety-two cents ($3, 976.92) due the Receiver of the American Risk Assurance Company
and National United Insurance Company. Said monies represented insurance premiums and/or
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unearned commissions which you, PHILLIP STRUM, owed to American Risk Assurance
Company and National United Insurance Company.
7. You, PHILLIP STRUM, have failed to pay this judgment to the receiver
of the American Risk Assurance Company and National United Insurance Company within the
thirty (30) days required by law, and, as of the date of the entry of this Administrative
Complaint, you, PHILLIP STRUM, have failed to pay this judgment.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, PHILLIP STRUM, have violated or are
accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and Rules of the
Department of Insurance which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of your
licenses, registrations, and appointments as an insurance agent:
(a) All premiums, return premiums, or other funds belonging to insurers or others
received by an agent, solicitor or adjuster in transactions under his license shall be trust funds so
received by the licensee in a fiduciary capacity;.and the licensee in the applicable regular course
of business shall account for and pay the same to the insurer, insured, or other person entitled
thereto. [Section 626.561(1), Florida Statutes];
(b) If the license is willfully used, or to be used, to circumvent any of the
requirements or prohibitions of this code. [Section 626.611(4), Florida Statutes];
©) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of
insurance. [Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes]; .
(d) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
permit. [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
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(e) Misappropriation, conversion, or unlawful withholding of moneys belonging to
insurers or insured or beneficiaries or to others and received in the course of business under the
license. [Section 626.611(10), Florida Statutes];
(f) Willful failure to comply with, or willful violation of, any proper order or rule of
the department or willful violation of any provision of this code. [Section 626.611(13), Florida
Statutes];
(g) Violation of 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 permit. [Section 626.621(2),
- Florida Statutes];
(h) Failure or refusal, upon demand, to pay over to any ir insurer he represents or has
represented any money coming into his hands belonging to the i insurer. [Section 626. 621(4),
Florida Statutes];
() - Inthe conduct of business under the license or permit, engaging in unfair methods
or competition or in unio or deceptive acts or QF practices, as prohibited under part X of this
“chapter, or ‘having otherwise shown himself to be a source of injury or loss to the public or
detrimental to the public interest. [Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
6) . Failing to turn over when required, or satisfactorily account for, all collections of
AO ‘Premiums and unearned commissions which have been collected o on behalf of an
entity has a duty to account to the receiver and to pay over amounts as may be due. The duty to
_account to ‘the rec encompass ‘all persons o or entities involved in ‘the handling and
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transmittal of premium funds. An accounting shall be provided to the receiver within 20 days
after receipt of a written demand for an accounting. If there is a dispute regarding the
accounting, the court shall hear and decide the matter upon petition of the receiver. Compliance
with this section and payment of sums determined to be owed by the court within thirty (30) days
of judgment, or within other payment terms approved by the court, shall constitute requirements
for continued licensure ofa person holding : a license under the F lorida Insurance Code, and
failure t to comply with this section shall be sufficient grounds for the license revocation. [Section
63 1.155, Florida Statutes].
WHEREFORE, you, PHILLIP STRUM, are hereby notified that the Treasurer and
Insurance Commissioner intends to enter an order revoking your licenses and appointments as an
insurance agent or to impose such penalties as may be provided under the provisions of Sections
626.611, 626.621, 626. 681, 626. 691, and 626. 9521, Florida Statutes, and under the other
referenced sections of the Florida Statutes as set out in this Administrative Complaint.
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
Pursuant to Sections 120. 569 and 120. 57, Florida Statutes and Rule 28- 106, Florida
Administrative Code (F.A.C.), you have a right to request a proceeding to contest this
action ney. the Department. You may elect a Proceeding by completing the attached
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should be delivered to 612 Larson Building, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida
32399-0333. The Petition or Election must be received by, and filed in the Department
within twenty-one (21) days of the date of your receipt of this notice.
_YOUR FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THIS
“ADM TRATIVE COMPLAINT WITHIN TWENTY-.
ONE (21) DAYS WILL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF
YOUR RIGHT TO REQUEST A PROCEEDING ON THE
MATTERS ALLEGED HEREIN AND AN ORDER OF
REVOCATION WILL BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
Ifa proceeding i is requested and there is no > dispute of fact the provisions of Section
120. 57(2), Florida Statutes would apply. In this regard you may submit oral or written
evidence in opposition to the action taken by this agency or a written statement challenging
the grounds upon which the agency 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.
If you dispute material facts which are the basis for this agency's action you may
request a formal adversarial proceeding pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57(1),
Florida Statutes. If you request this type of proceeding, the request must comply with all
of the requirements of Rule 28-106, F.A.C. and contain:
a) A statement identifying with particularity the allegations of the
‘Department which you dispute and the nature of the dispute;
b) An explanation of what relief you are seeking and believe you are
entitled to;
“c) Any other information which you contend is material.
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These proceedings are held before a State hearing officer 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.
If a hearing is requested, you have the-right to hire an attorney to represent you, to
testify in your own behalf, to call and to cross-examine witnesses, and to compel the
attendance of witnesses and the production of documents by subpoena.
Failure to follow the procedure outlined with regard to your response to this notice
may result in the request being denied. All prior correspondence in this matter shall be
considered freeform agency action, and no such correspondence shall operate as a valid
request for an administrative proceeding, Any réquist for 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.
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DATED and SIGNED this 2 [day of 2000.
Brel NELSON
Treasurer and Insurance
Commissioner
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT and ELECTION OF RIGHTS has been furnished to: PHILLIP STRUM, 15476
NW 77 Ct. #111 Miami, FL 33016, PHILIP STRUM, 1861 N. Federal Highway, Suite 166,
: <<
Hollywood, FL 33020-2827 by Certified Mail this Z / day of , 2000.
CK CREEHAN, ESQUIRE
612 Larson Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333
(850) 922-3110 Ext 4189
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Docket for Case No: 00-001741
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Sep. 13, 2000 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
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Sep. 12, 2000 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction (Joint) filed.
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Jul. 20, 2000 |
Order Granting Continuance and Placing Case in Abeyance sent out. (parties to advise status by August 31, 2000)
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Jul. 11, 2000 |
Joint Motion to Hold Case in Abeyance (filed via facsimile)
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May 22, 2000 |
Notice of Hearing sent out. (hearing set for August 18, 2000; 8:45 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale, FL)
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May 10, 2000 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
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Apr. 28, 2000 |
Initial Order issued. |
Apr. 25, 2000 |
Notice of Rights filed.
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Apr. 25, 2000 |
Election of Rights filed.
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Apr. 25, 2000 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Apr. 25, 2000 |
Agency Referral Letter filed.
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