Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Respondent: LEO RUSH INSURANCE
Judges: ELLA JANE P. DAVIS
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: Tallahassee, Florida
Filed: Jul. 29, 2008
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, September 19, 2008.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
Jul 29 2008 10:45
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + S584o7r4ogr
Jul. 29 2668 92:31AM PS
REPRESENTING F | L E D
ALEX SINK
on SATEON FLORID vik 26 Bons
IN THE MATTER OF: Dovketed by; FS).
CASE NO.: 955'70-08-AG
LEO RUSH INSURANCE
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
TO: LEO RUSIT INSURANCE
25 Old Lawrence Road
Pelham, NH 03076-3721
You, LEO RUSH INSURANCE, license 1.D. #L032289, 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 a nonresident general lines insurance agency in this state, as a result of
which it is alleged:
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
1. Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, you, LEO RUSH INSURANCE, are
currently licensed in this state as a nonresident general lines insurance agency (91-05).
2. . At all times pertinent to the dates and occurences referred to herein, you, LEO
RUSH INSURANCE, were licenscd in this state as a nonresident general lines insurance agency.
3, Pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes, the Florida Department of Financial
Services has jurisdiction over your nonresident general lines agency license and eligibility for
licensure.
4. Atall times pertinent to the allegations contained in this administrative complaint,
you, LEO RUSH INSURANCE, were located and conducted business from an office in Pelham,
New Hampshire and were owned by one Leo Rush.
Jul 29 2008 10:45
FROM : DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAS NO. 2 S584574oR7 Jul, 29 2686 89:32AM Pe
5. Leo Rush is licensed by the Department as a nonresident general lines insurance
agent.
6. Peter Rozantes ("Rozantes") is an individual residing in Wellesly Hills,
Massachusetts, Rozantes is not and never has been licensed or otherwise authorized to transact
insurance in the State of Florida.
7. Eastern Shores Casualty and Indemnity ("Eastern Shores") is purportedly an
insurer, but it is not and has never becn licensed or otherwise authorized to transact insurance in
the State of Florida.
8. Insurance Company of Wellesley ("IC W") is purportedly an insurer, but it is not
and has never been licensed or otherwise authorized to transact insurance in the State of Florida.
9, Parrott Key Associates, Inc. ("PKA") is a Florida real estate development
corporation engaged in real estate development in Key West, Florida.
COUNT 1!
10. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference.
11. On November 21, 2006, Eastern Shores authorized and appointed Peter Rozantes
to act as its attorney-in-fact to execute surety bonds.
12. On November 26, 2006, you, LEO RUSH INSURANCE, acting through your
owner, Leo Rush, authorized and appointed Peter Rozantes to act as your attorney-in-fact.
13. Onor about November, 2006, you, LEO RUSH INSURANCE, through Rozantes,
represented to PKA that you could provide a performance surety bond needed by PKA for its
real estate development in Key West. In reliance on your representations, PRA secured the
issuance of a check in the amount of $511,726.35 payable to Eastern Shores. This amount
represented the bond premium.
14. Upon determining that the bond to be issued by Easter Shores was nonconforming
to the requirements established by the lender on the real estate development project, PKA
demanded the return of their premium paid and you failed or refused to return the premium.
Jul 29 2008 10:45
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? Jul. 29 2665 89:53AM Pr
15. In soliciting a surety bond to be issued by Eastern Shores, you, LEO RUSH
INSURANCE, have represented an unauthorized insurer in the State of Florida.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, LEO RUSH INSURANCE, have violated or
are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and Rules of the
Department of Financial Services which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of
your licenses and appointments:
(a) No person shall, 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. [Section
626.901(1), Florida Statutes];
(b) Ifthe license or appointment is willfully used, or to be used, to circumvent any of the
requirements or prohibitions of this code. [Section 626.61 1(4), Florida Statutes];
(c) Misappropriation, conversion, or unlawful withholding of moneys belonging to
insurers or insureds or beneficiaries or to others and received in the conduct of business under
the license or appointment. [Section 626.611(10), Florida Statutes];
(d) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or annuity contract or 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 Statutés|;
(ec) 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];
(f) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment, [Section 626.611(9), Florida Statutes];
(g) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the business of
insurance. [Section 626.61 1(7), Florida Statutes];
(h) 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
Jul 29 2008 10:47
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? Jul. 29 2668 9:54AM Pe
obtaining a fee, commission, money, or other benefit from any insurer, agent, broker, or
individual. [Section 626.9541(1)(k)1., Florida Statutes].
COUNT IL
16. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated. herein
by reference.
17. On November 2], 2006, Eastern Shores authorized and appointed Peter Rozantes
to act as its attorney-in-fact to execute surety bonds.
18. On November 26, 2006, you, LEO RUSH INSURANCE, through your owner
Leo Rush, authorized and appointed Peter Rozantes to act as your altorney-in-fact. .
19, On or about November, 2006, you, LEQ RUSH INSURANCE, through Peter
Rozantes, represented to PKA that you could provide a performance surety bond needed by PKA
for its real estate development in Key West.
20, In reliance on your representations, PKA secured the issuance of a check in the
amount of $171,177.50 payable to the Insurance Companies of Wellesley. This amount
represented the bond premium.
21. Upon determining that the bond to be issued by ICW was nonconforming to the
requirements established by the lender for the real estate development project, PKA demanded to
return of their premium paid and you failed or refused to return the premium.
22. In soliciting a surety bond to be issued by ICW, you, LEQ RUSH INSURANCE,
have represented an authorized insurer in the State of Florida.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you, LEO RUSH INSURANCE, have violated or
are accountable under the following provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and Rules of the
Department of Financial Services which constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of
your licenses and appointments:
(a) No person shall, from offices or by personnel or facilities located in this state, or in
any other state or country, ditectly ot indirectly act as agent for, or otherwise represent or aid on
Jul 29 2008 10:48
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? Jul. 29 2665 89:55AM Pao
behalf of another, any insurer not then authorized to transact such insurance in this state. [Section
626.901(1), Florida Statutes};
(b) If the license or appointment is willfully used, or to be used, to circumvent any of the
requirements or prohibitions of this code. [Section 626.611(4), Florida Statutes);
(c} Misappropriation, conversion, or unlawful withholding of moneys belonging to
insurers or insureds or beneficiaries or to others and received in the conduct of business under
the license or appointment. [Section 626.611(10), Florida Statutes],
(d) Willful misrepresentation of any insurance policy or annuity contract or 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];
(e) 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];
(f) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business under the license or
appointment. [Section 626.61 1(9), Florida Statutes};
(g) Demonstrated lack of fitness of trustworthiness to engage in the business of
insurance. [Section 626.611(7), Florida Statutes];
’ (h) Knowingly making a false or fraudulent written or oral statement or representation
on, of relative io, 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].
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
You have the right to request a proceeding to contest this action by the Department of
Financial Services ("Department") pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes,
and Rule 28-106, Florida Administrative Code. The proceeding request must be in writing,
signed by you, and must be filed with the Department within twenty-one (21) days of your
receipt of this notice. Completion of the attached Election of Proceeding form and/or a petition
Jul 29 2008 10:49
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? Jul. 29 2885 89:55AM Pla
for administrative hearing will suffice as a written request. The request must be filed with the
General Counsel acting as Agency Clerk, at the Florida Department of Financial Services, 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 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 to the administrative complaint.
Jul 29 2008 10:50
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + 85845749? Jul. 29 2688 @9:56AM Pil
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 dale of this notice shall be deemed abandoned
unless timely rencwed in compliance with the guidelines as set out above.
Jul 29 2008 10:50
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + S584o7r4ogr Jul. 29 26688 82:37AM Pl2
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_{(3"_ day of Tu { 2008.
TAMMY TESYON
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
1 HEREBY CERTIFY that 4 true and correct copy of the foregoing ADMINISTRATIVE
COMPLAINT and ELECTION OF PROCEEDING has been furnished to: LEQ RUSH
INSURANCE, 25 Old Lawrence Road, Pelham, NH 03076-3721, by Certified Mail this I baty
of wll , 2008,
A
Dean Andrews
Division of Legal Services
200 East Gaines St.
612 Larson Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32399033
(850) 413-4242
Florida Bar Nurriber 0001959
Jul 29 2008 10:51
FROM :DEPT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FAX NO. + S584o7r4ogr Jul. 29 2668 83:58AM Pls
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
IN THE MATTER OF:
CASE NO.: 95570-08-AG
LEO RUSH INSURANCE
ELECTION OF PROCEEDING
T have received and have read the Administrative Complaint filed by the Florida Department of Financial Services
("Department") against me, including (he Notice of Rights contained therein, and I understand my options. [atm requesting
disposition of this matter as indicated below. (CHOOSE ONE)
10] I do not dispute any of the Department’s factual allegations and I do not desire a heating, T 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 1 hereby clect a proceeding to be conducted in
accordance with Section 120.57(2), Mlorida Statutes. In this regard, | desire to (CHOOSE ONE):
{] Submit a written statement and documentary evidence in lieu ofa hearing; or
Ll Personally attend a hearing conducted by a department hearing officer in Tallahassee; or
tl Attend that same hearing by way of a tclephone conference call,
3 £4 I do dispute onc or mor: 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, | have attachcd to this
clection form the information required by Rulc 28-106.2015, Florida Administrative Code, as specified in
subparagraph (c) of the Notice of Rights. Specifically, 1 have identificd 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 RECEIY 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 OP THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT.
The address for filing is: Gencral Counsel acting as Agency Clerk, Floride Department of Financial Services, 612 Larson
Building, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333,
Signature ~ _ Pring Name
Date: | oe Address: _
Date Administrative eieeuiey een
Complaint Received: _... ....
*If you are represented by an attorney or qualifled Phone No.: _.
ropresentative, please attach to this election form their
name, address, telephone and fax numbers Fax No. _. eo
Docket for Case No: 08-003714
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Sep. 19, 2008 |
Order Closing Files. CASE CLOSED.
|
Sep. 17, 2008 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Aug. 07, 2008 |
Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 08-3378PL and 08-3714).
|
Aug. 05, 2008 |
Petitioner`s Response to Order to Show Cause filed.
|
Aug. 01, 2008 |
Amended Order to Show Cause.
|
Jul. 31, 2008 |
Order to Show Cause (parties are granted to and until August 14, 2008, in which to show cause, in writing why the two cases should not be consolidated for the final hearing).
|
Jul. 29, 2008 |
Initial Order.
|
Jul. 29, 2008 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jul. 29, 2008 |
Answer to Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jul. 29, 2008 |
Election of Proceeding filed.
|
Jul. 29, 2008 |
Agency referral filed.
|