Administrative Actions September 2023

​Last Updated: October 9, 2023

For more information contact: Lauren Van Buren, Chief Legal Counsel
(608) 261-8283 or lauren.vanburen@wisconsin.gov


Madison, Wis. — The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) is responsible for administering and enforcing the insurance laws of Wisconsin. This includes monitoring the financial and marketing practices of individuals and companies. Each month, OCI publishes the administrative actions it has taken against these entities. The actions are issued by OCI when licensing applicants, or licensed individuals or companies have violated Wisconsin insurance statutes or regulations. In some cases, the individual or company denied the stated allegations but consented to the action taken. OCI strives to ensure fair and honest business practices to protect Wisconsin insurance consumers through this type of transparency. Copies of the administrative orders may be viewed online at ociaccess.oci.wi.gov/OrderInfo/OrdInfo.oci.

Any forfeitures paid are deposited in Wisconsin's Common School Fund administered by the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Earnings from the Fund are distributed to all public K-12 schools in the state and are used by school libraries to purchase materials such as books, newspapers, and computers.

If you have a question or complaint regarding an insurance company or agent you can use the online complaint form on our website, oci.wi.gov, or contact OCI at 1-800-236-8517.

Allegations and Actions Against Agents

Tammy A. Backhaus, 179 Mill St., Campbellsport, WI 53010, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Suzanne L. Boutcher, 200 Parkview Dr., Burlington, WI 53105, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Brian I. Bowen, 208 6th St., Hartford, WI 53027, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having a criminal conviction that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct.

Richard Bowhousen, 214 S Eagle St., Oshkosh, WI 54902, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely report a criminal charge and conviction to OCI.

Tre J. Burnette, 1014 N. Sunnyvale Ln., Madison, WI 53714, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

John-Pierre J. Herrera, 1025 Old Country Rd., Westbury, NY 11590, agreed to surrender his Wisconsin insurance license. This action was taken based on allegations of making misrepresentations in the sale of an insurance policy.

Darci Hoffland, 315 S Ohio St., Prairie du Chien, WI 53821, had her application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to comply with the terms of a previous Stipulation and Order.

Michael L. Locke, 20240 Hague Rd., Noblesville, IN 46062, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having an administrative action taken by the State of Indiana that resulted in the issuance of a probationary license.

James Merritt, N3164 Evergreen Rd., Lake Geneva, WI 53147, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Lisa Murray, S90W13960 Boxhorn Dr., Muskego, WI 53150, had her application for an insurance license denied for six months. This action was taken based on allegations of having a criminal conviction that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct.

Alex Perez, 945 E Playa Del Norte Dr., Unit 2024, Tempe, AZ 85288, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to disclose an administrative action taken by the State of Wyoming on a licensing application and violating the terms of a previous warning letter.

Brendalis Rodriguez, 4203 W College Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53221, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Kirsten VanNest, 218 Wilson Way, Marshfield, MO 65706, had her application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having a criminal conviction that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct, having administrative actions taken by the states of Wisconsin and Florida, and failing to provide evidence of a federal crime waiver.

Keagan A. Williams-Salgado, 361 Rockport Rd., Janesville, WI 53548, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having criminal convictions that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct, failing to disclose criminal charges and convictions on a licensing application, and owing unpaid unemployment compensation.

Allegations and Actions Against Companies​

Empower Retirement, LLC, 8515 E Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village, CO 80111, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to report administrative actions taken by the states of Minnesota and Nevada on its EBPA licensing renewal application and violating the terms of a previous warning letter.

First Care, Inc., 10455 Mill Run Cir., Owings Mills, MD 21117, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $1,000.00 and was ordered to pay an administrative assessment to the Wisconsin Insurance Security Fund (WISF). These actions were taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay a WISF assessment and failing to timely respond to OCI.

Health Plan Intermediaries Holdings, LLC, (DBA "Health Insurance Innovations"), 3450 Buschwood Park Dr., Ste. 201, Tampa, FL 33618, had its application for an EPBA license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having inadequate financial resources.

Marpai Administrators, LLC, 5701 E Hillsborough Ave., Suite 1417, Tampa, FL 33610, had its application for an EBPA license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having inadequate financial resources.

Medicare Advantage Insurance Company of Omaha, 3300 Mutual of Omaha Plz., Omaha, NE 68175, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $1,000.00 and was ordered to pay an administrative assessment to the Wisconsin Insurance Security Fund (WISF). These actions were taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay a WISF assessment and failing to timely respond to OCI.

People 1st Health Strategies, Inc., 6319 Mutual Dr., Ste. D, Fort Wayne, IN 46825, agreed to the conditional renewal of its Employee Benefit Plan Administrator (EBPA) insurance license requiring the provision of quarterly financial reports demonstrating positive equity. This action was taken based on allegations of having inadequate financial resources.​

Copies of Administrative Actions