Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
Respondent: VITTORIO CUCUZZA
Judges: LARRY J. SARTIN
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: West Palm Beach, Florida
Filed: Aug. 27, 2002
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, October 22, 2002.
Latest Update: Dec. 26, 2024
[jp 3383 AL
FILED
JUL 30 2002
THE TREASURER OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE Treasurer and
TOM GALLAGHER
Insurance Commissioner
Docketed by:,
IN THE MATTER OF:
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CASE NO.: 43525-02:AG.
VITTORIO CUCUZZA we RT
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ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
TO: VITTORIO CUCUZZA
MICHAEL C HARTMAN INC
11150 Okeechobee Boulevard
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411-1352
VITTORIO CUCUZZA
13785 Sunflower Court
Apt. B
Wellington, FL 33414-2138
You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, are hereby notified that, pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida
Statutes, the Insurance Commissioner 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, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, License
#A304998, are licensed in this state as a General Lines Insurance Agent.
2. At all times pertinent to the dates and occurrences referred to herein, you,
VITTORIO CUCUZZA, were licensed in this state as a General Lines Insurance Agent.
3. At times during the years 1998 to 2000, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, were
employed as an insurance agent by AAA Auto Club South, an insurance agency located at 1000
AAA Drive, Heathrow, Florida 32746-5080.
4. At times during the year 2001, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, were employed as
an insurance agent by Burke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc., an insurance agency located at 181
Crawford Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33432.
5. On or about August 9, 2001, Lee Burke, President of Burke, Bogart.& Brownell,
Inc., contacted the Department of Insurance and alleged that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, had
forged customer signatures on numerous Agent of Record letters.
6. During the year 2001, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA knowingly prepared and
submitted numerous false and fraudulent Agent of Record letters to insurers for the purpose of
obtaining agent commissions.
7. Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, the Florida Department of Insurance
has jurisdiction over your insurance licenses and appointments.
COUNT]
8. The above general allegations are realleged and incorporated here and fully by
reference.
9. In or around March, 1999, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, sold insurance to Francis
Matthew Kennedy while employed at AAA Auto Club South. Mr. Kennedy resides at 8856 San
Andros, West Palm Beach, FL 33411.
10. In or around March of 2001, Francis Matthew Kennedy received a letter from
you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, urging him to sign an enclosed Agent of Record Letter that would
transfer his insurance to Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc.
11. Francis Matthew Kennedy did not sign any Agent of Record Letter designating
you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc., as his Agent of Record.
12. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
forged Mr. Kennedy’s signature on one or more Agent of Record Letters.
13. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Mr. Kennedy to one or more insurance companies.
14. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Mr. Kennedy to one or more insurance companies in order to obtain commissions.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED, that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, have violated and
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 and eligibility as an insurance agent:
(a) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or annuity contract or willful
deception with regard to any such policy or contract, done either in person or by any form of
dissemination of information or advertising. . [Section 626.611(5), Florida Statutes);
(b) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of insurance.
[Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes];
(c) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.61 1(9), Florida Statutes],
(d) 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};
(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 or detrimental to the public interest. [Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
(f) No person shall engage in this state in any trade practice which is defined in this part
as, or determined pursuant to s. 626.951 or s. 626.9561 to be, an unfair method of competition
or an unfair or deceptive act or practice involving the business of insurance. [Section 626.9521,
Florida Statutes];
(g) Knowingly making, issuing, circulating, or causing to be made, issued, or circulated,
any estimate, illustration, circular, statement, sales presentation, omission, or comparison
which is a misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing, or tending to induce, the lapse,
forfeiture, exchange, conversion, or surrender of any insurance policy. [Section
626.9541(1)(a)6.,Florida Statutes];
(h) Knowingly filing with any supervisory or other public official; making, publishing,
disseminating, circulating; delivering to any person; placing before the public, or causing,
directly or indirectly,to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, delivered to any person,
or placed before the public, any false material statement. [Section 626.9541(1)(e), Florida
Statutes];
(i) Knowingly making a false or fraudulent written or oral statement or representation 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. [Section
626.9541(1)(k)1.,Florida Statutes].
COUNT II
15. The above general allegations are realleged and incorporated here and fully by
reference.
16. In or around March, 1999, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, sold insurance to Mary
R. Chiaramonte while employed at AAA Auto Club South. Ms. Chiaramonte resides at 5440
Glenda Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 33417.
17. In or around March of 2001, Ms. Chiaramonte received a letter from you,
VITTORIO CUCUZZA, urging her to sign an enclosed Agent of Record Letter that would
transfer her insurance to Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc.
18. Ms. Chiaramonte did not sign any Agent of Record Letter designating you,
VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc., as his Agent of Record.
19. | You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
forged Ms. Chiaramonte’s signature on one or more Agent of Record Letters.
20. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Ms. Chiaramonte to one or more insurance companies.
21. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Ms. Chiaramonte to one or more insurance companies in order to obtain commissions.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED, that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, have violated and
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 and eligibility as an insurance agent:
(a) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or annuity contract or willful
deception with regard to any such policy or contract, done either in person or by any form of
dissemination of information or advertising. . [Section 626.61 1(5), Florida Statutes],
(b) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of insurance.
[Section 626.61 1(7), Florida Statutes];
(c) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(d) 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];
(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 or detrimental to the public interest. [Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
(f) No person shal! engage in this state in any trade practice which is defined in this part
as, or determined pursuant to s. 626.951 or s. 626.9561 to be, an unfair method of competition
or an unfair or deceptive act or practice involving the business of insurance. [Section 626.9521,
Florida Statutes];
(g) Knowingly making, issuing, circulating, or causing to be made, issued, or circulated,
any estimate, illustration, circular, statement, sales presentation, omission, or comparison
which is a misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing, or tending to induce, the lapse,
forfeiture, exchange, conversion, or surrender of any insurance policy. [Section
626.9541(1)(a)6.,Florida Statutes];
(h) Knowingly filing with any supervisory or other public official; making, publishing,
disseminating, circulating; delivering to any person; placing before the public, or causing,
directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, delivered to any person,
or placed before the public, any false material statement. [Section 626.9541(1)(e), Florida
Statutes];
(i) Knowingly making a false or fraudulent written or oral statement or representation 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. [Section
626.9541(1)(k)1.,Florida Statutes].
COUNT IH
22. The above general allegations are realleged and incorporated here and fully by
reference.
23. In or around March, 1999, Marc David Basis purchased insurance through AAA
Auto Club South. Mr. Basis resides at 22 Farnworth Drive, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426.
24. In or around March of 2001, Mr. Basis received a letter from you, VITTORIO
CUCUZZA, urging him to sign an enclosed Agent of Record Letter that would transfer his
insurance to Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc.
25. Mr. Basis did not sign any Agent of Record Letter designating you, VITTORIO
CUCUZZA, or Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc., as his Agent of Record.
26. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
forged Mr. Basis’s signature on one or more Agent of Record Letters.
27. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Mr. Basis to one or more insurance companies.
28. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Mr. Basis to one or more insurance companies in order to obtain commissions.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED, that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, have violated and
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 and eligibility as an insurance agent:
(a) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or annuity contract or willful
deception with regard to any such policy or contract, done either in person or by any form of
dissemination of information or advertising. . [Section 626.61 1(5), Florida Statutes];
(b) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of insurance.
[Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes];
(c) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(d) Willful failure to comply with, or willful violation of, any proper order or rule of the
department or willfulviolation of any provision of this code. [Section 626.611(13), 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 or detrimental to the public interest. (Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
(f) No person shall engage in this state in any trade practice which is defined in this part
as, or determined pursudnt to s. 626.951 or s. 626.9561 to be, an unfair method of competition
or an unfair or deceptive act or practice involving the business of insurance. [Section 626.9521,
Florida Statutes];
(g) Knowingly making, issuing, circulating, or causing to be made, issued, or circulated,
any estimate, illustration, circular, statement, sales presentation, omission, or comparison
which is a misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing, or tending to induce, the lapse,
forfeiture, exchange, conversion, or surrender of any insurance policy. [Section
626.9541(1)(a)6.,Florida Statutes];
(h) Knowingly filing with any supervisory or other public official; making, publishing,
disseminating, circulating; delivering to any person, placing before the public, or causing,
directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, delivered to any person,
or placed before the public, any false material statement. [Section 626.9541(1)(e), Florida
Statutes];
(i) Knowingly making a false or fraudulent written or oral statement or representation 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. [Section
626.9541(1)(k)1.,Florida Statutes].
COUNT IV
29. The above general allegations are realleged and incorporated here and fully by
reference.
30. In or around August, 1999, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, sold insurance to Gary
Bryan Graves while employed at AAA Auto Club South. Mr. Graves resides at 10 Gadsby Way,
Boynton Beach, Florida 33462.
31. Mr. Graves did not sign any Agent of Record Letter designating you, VITTORIO
CUCUZZA, or Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc., as his Agent of Record.
32. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
forged Mr. Graves’s signature on one or more Agent of Record Letters.
33. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Mr. Graves to one or more insurance companies.
34, You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Mr. Graves to one or more insurance companies in order to obtain commissions.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED, that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, have violated and
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 and eligibility as an insurance agent:
(a) Wiilful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or annuity contract or willful
deception with regard-to any such policy or contract, done either in person or by any form of
dissemination of information or advertising. . [Section 626.61 1(5), Florida Statutes];
(b) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of insurance.
[Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes];
10 .
(c) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(d) 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];
(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 or detrimental to the public interest. [Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
(f) No person shall engage in this state in any trade practice which is defined in this part
as, or determined pursuant to s. 626.951 or s. 626.9561 to be, an unfair method of competition
or an unfair or deceptive act or practice involving the business of insurance. [Section 626.9521,
Florida Statutes);
(g) Knowingly making, issuing, circulating, or causing to be made, issued, or circulated,
any estimate, illustration, circular, statement, sales presentation, omission, or comparison
which is a misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing, or tending to induce, the lapse,
forfeiture, exchange, conversion, or surrender of any insurance policy. [Section
626.954 1(1)(a)6.,Florida Statutes];
(h) Knowingly filing with any supervisory or other public official; making, publishing,
disseminating, circulating; delivering to any person; placing before the public, or causing,
directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, delivered to any person,
or placed before the public, any false material statement. [Section 626.9541(1)(e), Florida
Statutes];
1]
(i) Knowingly making a false or fraudulent written or oral statement or representation 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. [Section
626.9541(1)(k)1.,Florida Statutes]. '
COUNT V
35. The above general allegations are realleged and incorporated here and fully by
reference.
36. In or around February, 1998, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, sold insurance to
Catherine S, Stepaniak while employed at AAA Auto Club South. Ms. Stepaniak resides at
15665 72" Court North, West Palm Beach, Florida 33470.
37. Ms. Stepaniak did not sign any Agent of Record Letter designating you,
VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc., as her Agent of Record.
38. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
forged Ms. Stepaniak‘s signature on one or more Agent of Record Letters.
39, You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Ms. Stepaniak to one or more insurance companies.
40. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted ‘one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Ms. Stepaniak to one or more insurance companies in order to obtain commissions.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED, that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, have violated and
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 and eligibility as an insurance agent:
(a) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or annuity contract or willful
deception with regard to any such policy or contract, done either in person or by any form of
dissemination of information or advertising. . [Section 626.611(5), Florida Statutes];
(b) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of insurance.
[Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes];
(c) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(d) 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 626.61 1(13), 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 or detrimental to the public interest. [Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
(f) No person shall engage in this state in any trade practice which is defined in this part
as, or determined pursuant to s. 626.951 or s. 626.9561 to be, an unfair method of competition
or an unfair or deceptive act or practice involving the business of insurance. [Section 626.9521,
Florida Statutes];
(g) Knowingly making, issuing, circulating, or causing to be made, issued, or circulated,
any estimate, illustration, circular, statement, sales presentation, omission, or comparison
which is a misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing, or tending to induce, the lapse,
forfeiture, exchange, conversion, or surrender of any insurance policy. [Section
626.9541 (1)(a)6.,Florida Statutes];
(h) Knowingly filing with any supervisory or other public official; making, publishing,
disseminating, circulating; delivering to any person; placing before the public, or causing,
directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, delivered to any person,
or placed before the public, any false material statement. [Section 626.9541(1)(e), Florida
Statutes];
(i) Knowingly making a false or fraudulent written or oral statement or representation 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. [Section
626.9541(1)(k)1.,Florida Statutes].
COUNT VI
41. The above general allegations are realleged and incorporated here and fully by
reference.
42. In or around January, 1999, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, sold insurance to Diane
Joan Studer while employed at AAA Auto Club South. Mrs. Studer resides at 6113 Garrett
Street, Jupiter, Florida 33458.
43. Mrs. Studer did not sign any Agent of Record Letter designating you, VITTORIO
CUCUZZA, or Bourke, Bogart & Brownell, Inc., as her Agent of Record.
44, You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
forged Mrs. Studer ‘s signature on one or more Agent of Record Letters.
45, You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Mrs. Studer to one or more insurance companies.
46. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, or someone under your control or supervision,
knowingly submitted one or more false and fraudulent Agent of Record Letters purportedly
signed by Mrs. Studer to one or more insurance companies in order to obtain commissions.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED, that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, have violated and
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 and eligibility as an insurance agent:
(a) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or annuity contract or willful
deception with regard to any such policy or contract, done either in person or by any form of
dissemination of information or advertising. . [Section 626.61 1(5), Florida Statutes};
(b) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of insurance.
{Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes];
(c) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.61] 1(9), Florida Statutes];
(d) 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 626.61 1(13), 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 or detrimental to the public interest, [Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
(f) No person shall engage in this state in any trade practice which is defined in this part
as, or determined pursuant to s. 626.951 ors. 626.9561 to be, an unfair method of competition
or an unfair or deceptive act or practice involving the business of insurance. [Section 626.9521,
Florida Statutes];
(g) Knowingly making, issuing, circulating, or causing to be made, issued, or circulated,
any estimate, illustration, circular, statement, sales presentation, omission, or comparison
which is a misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing, or tending to induce, the lapse,
forfeiture, exchange, conversion, or surrender of any insurance policy. [Section
626.9541(1)(a)6.,Florida Statutes];
(h) Knowingly filing with any supervisory or other public official: making, publishing,
disseminating, circulating; delivering to any person, placing before the public, or causing,
directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, delivered to any person,
or placed before the public, any false material statement. [Section 626.9541(1)(e), Florida
Statutes];
(i) Knowingly making a false or fraudulent written or oral statement or representation 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. [Section
626.9541(1)(k)1.,Florida Statutes].
COUNT VII
47. The above general allegations are realleged and incorporated here and fully by
reference.
48. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, obtained a list of the names and address of
insurance customers of AAA Auto Club South.
49. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, solicited customers of AAA Auto Club South by
using their customer list after you were no longer employed by AAA Auto Club South.
50. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, knew or should have known that an agency’s
customer list is proprietary information.
51. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, knew or should have known that you were not
permitted to solicit customers from this list after you were no longer employed by AAA Auto
Club South without their permission.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED, that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, have violated and
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 and eligibility as an insurance agent:
(a) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of
insurance. [Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes};
(b) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(c) 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 or detrimental to the public interest. [Section 626.621(6), Florida Statutes];
17 ‘
COUNT VIII
52. The above general allegations are realleged and incorporated here and fully by
reference.
53. You, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, failed to file a Change of Address form with the
Department of Insurance after you left AAA Auto Club South and went to work for Burke,
Bogart & Brownell, Inc.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED, that you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, have violated and
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 and eligibility as an insurance agent:
(a) Every licensee shall notify the department in writing within 30 days after a change of
name, residence address, principal business street address, or mailing address, Any licensed
agent who has moved his or her residence from this state shall have his or her license and all
appointments immediately terminated by the department. [Section 626.551, Florida Statutes]
(b) 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].
WHEREFORE, you, VITTORIO CUCUZZA, are hereby notified that the Treasurer and
Insurance Commissioner intends to enter an Order suspending or revoking your licenses and
eligibility for licensure as an insurance agent or to impose such lesser penalties as may be
provided under the provisions of Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, and under the other referenced
sections of the Florida Statutes as set out in this Administrative Complaint. You are further
ee,
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
pursuant to sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, and Rule 28-107, 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 as acting
Agency Clerk, at the Florida Department of Insurance, 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
WILL BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU,
If you request.a proceeding, you must provide information that complies with the
requirements of Rule 28-107.004, 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 and address of the party making the request, for purpose of service;
(c) A reference to the notice, order to show Cause, administrative complaint, or other
communication that the party has received from the agency.
Ifa hearing of any type is requested, you have the right to be represented by counsel or
other qualified Tepresentative 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.
Ifa 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, F lorida, or by telephonic conference call upon your request,
eee
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 of Insurance,
DATED and SIGNED this 30th
day of — JULY 2002.
Wty
$9 WHR iy
KENNEY SHIPLEY
Deputy Insurance Commissioner
21
Ee
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
EEL ALE OF SERVICE
11150 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, 334] 1-1352; and VITTORIO CUCUZZA
13785 B. Sunflower Court, Wellington, FL 33432 by Certified Mail this 30th day of
JULY , 2002. 5
st
Florida Bar Numbeh02661* 7
Division of Legal Services
612 Larson Building
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-033
Phone: (850) 413-4236
Fax: (850) 488-0697
22
Docket for Case No: 02-003383PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Oct. 22, 2002 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Oct. 21, 2002 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Oct. 04, 2002 |
Petitioner`s List of Witnesses filed.
|
Sep. 11, 2002 |
Response to Initial Order (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Sep. 11, 2002 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
|
Sep. 11, 2002 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for October 29, 2002; 9:30 a.m.; West Palm Beach, FL).
|
Aug. 29, 2002 |
Initial Order issued.
|
Aug. 27, 2002 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Aug. 27, 2002 |
Election of Proceeding filed.
|
Aug. 27, 2002 |
Agency referral filed.
|