For more information, contact: Robert Luck, Consumer Attorney,
Phone: (608) 266-0082,
E-mail: robert.luck@oci.state.wi.us

Madison, WI--OCI has taken the following administrative actions. In many of these cases the respondent denied the allegations but consented to the action taken. This list of administrative actions does not include actions for which a separate press release is done.

OCI is responsible for overseeing the operations and marketing of insurance companies and agents in Wisconsin. OCI encourages anyone with a question or a complaint regarding an insurance company or agent to contact the office at this toll-free telephone number: 1-800-236-8517.

Allegations and Actions Against Agents

Jerry O. Ericksen, 420 E. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495, paid a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was based on allegations of misrepresenting authorization to charge a client's credit card.

Ronald D. Johnson, 1717 96th Ave., Hammond, WI 54015, paid a forfeiture of $1,000.00. This action was based on allegations of failing to report an administrative action taken by another agency in violation of s. Ins 6.61 (16), Wis. Adm. Code.

John Marcus Kelly, 18045 S.E. Village Cir., Jupiter, FL 33469, has had his license denied for 31 days. This action was based on allegations of failing to disclose administrative action taken by the state of Florida on an insurance license application.

Cheryl A. Kersnowski, 963 Woods Loop, Waxhaw, NC 28173, has had her license denied for 31 days. This action was based on allegations of failing to disclose administrative action taken by the state of New Jersey on an insurance license application.

Rick J. Lindsey, 14259 S. Rocky Mouth Cir., Draper, UT 84020, has had his license denied for 31 days. This action was based on allegations of failing to disclose administrative actions taken by the states of Montana and Oregon on an insurance license application.

John J. Matternas, 100 E. Main St., Schaefferstown, PA 17088, has had his license denied for 60 days. This action was based on allegations of failing to disclose administrative actions taken by the states of California and Maryland and two Virginia actions on an insurance license application.

John Robert McEvoy, 1252 E. Melrose Loop, Casa Grande, AZ 85222, has had his license denied for 31 days. This action was based on allegations of failing to disclose administrative action taken by the state of Kentucky on a surplus lines insurance license application.

Melanie Ranaye Ortiz, 1150 Iron Point Rd. #100, Folsom, CA 95630, has had her application for an insurance license denied. This action was based on allegations of failing to respond promptly to inquiries from OCI and a criminal conviction substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct.

Nicholas E. Paladino, 4632 W. Crawford Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53220, has had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was based on allegations of failing to respond promptly to inquiries from OCI and a criminal conviction substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct.

William Lowell Rinker, 14241 Dallas Pky. #300, Dallas, TX 75240, agreed to pay a forfeiture of $250.00 and agreed to a suspension of his license for 31 days. This action was based on allegations of failing to respond promptly to inquiries from OCI and failing to disclose administrative action taken by the state of Oklahoma on an insurance license application.

John Christopher Sweeney, 1200 Hull St. Apt. C, Chesapeake, VA 23324, has had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was based on allegations of a criminal conviction substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct.

Joseph Michael Walsh, 7840 Neva Ave., Niles, IL 60714, has had his license denied for 31 days. This action was based on allegations of failing to disclose two administrative actions taken by the state of Illinois on an insurance license application.

Steven V. Wershay, W278 N5365 Hanover Hill Rd., Sussex, WI 53089, was ordered to make restitution in the total sum of $1,206,148.10 as ordered in Milwaukee County Circuit Court case 2004-CF-006498 and has had his insurance license revoked. This action was based on allegations of entering into personal financial transactions with insurance customers prohibited by s. Ins 6.60 (2), Wis. Adm. Code.

Steven Marc Wexler, 1080 San Pedro Ave., Coral Gables, FL 33156, agreed to a denial of his application for an insurance license. This action was based on allegations of failing to disclose administrative actions taken by the states of Colorado, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Florida on an insurance license application by a licensing service.

Allegations and Actions Against Companies

Abri Health Plan, Inc., 216 Green Bay Ave. #109, Thiensville, WI 53092, paid a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was based on allegations of failing to file a required financial statement by the due date.

American States Insurance Company, 500 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46204, agreed to pay a forfeiture of $2,000.00 and agreed to cease and desist from violating Wisconsin insurance law by failing to state a reasonably precise reason for nonrenewal on its nonrenewal notices and to give notice of the availability of the Wisconsin worker's compensation insurance pool. This action was based on allegations of issuing an improper nonrenewal of a worker's compensation insurance policy and failing to give notice of the availability of the Wisconsin worker's compensation insurance pool.

Benefit Systems & Services, Inc., 760 Pasquinelli Dr. #320, Westmont, IL 60559, paid a forfeiture of $500.00 and was ordered to provide the requested information and promptly reply in writing to all future requests for information. This action was based on allegations of failing to respond promptly to inquiries from OCI.

Fireman's Fund Insurance Company of Wisconsin, 125 N. Executive Dr. Ste. 209, Brookfield, WI 53005, paid a forfeiture of $2,000.00. This action was based on allegations of failing to comply with a previous examination order.

Global Title Agency LLC, 1801 American Blvd. E. #4, Bloomington, MN 55425, has had its license denied for 31 days. This action was based on allegations of failing to disclose administrative action taken by the state of Nebraska against Chief Manager Patrick Nolan III on an insurance license application.

Liberty Financial Services, Inc., 1701 McFarland Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15216, has had its license denied for 31 days. This action was based on allegations of administrative action taken by the state of Pennsylvania.

Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, 2600 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68131, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $100,000.00 and was ordered to comply with s. Ins 3.46 (13) (b), Wis. Adm. Code requirements for long-term care commissions. This action was based on allegations of improperly paying first-year commissions to intermediaries for long-term care renewal policies between 1995 and 2001 contrary to s. Ins 3.46 (13) (b), Wis. Adm. Code.

Copies of Administrative Actions