S. Fla. Agent Banned From Selling ‘Bogus’ Policies

April 26, 2006

The license of South Florida insurance agent Gordon Arthur Esses of Aventura, Fla. has been revoked for selling “bogus” policies and the agent has been banned from writing business in the state, according to Tom Gallagher, Florida CFO.

“A licensed insurance agent should know whether the product he or she is selling is illegal or properly licensed,” Gallagher said. “Although a majority of agents are not marketing unlicensed plans, unscrupulous agents selling bogus coverage will be held accountable.”

Esses represented N.A.P.T., an unlicensed entity that sold bogus health insurance policies to thousands of Floridians and subsequently left many with unpaid claims. Unpaid claims from unlicensed entities are not eligible to be paid from the state guaranty fund which covers the claims of authorized insurers that become insolvent. The former organizer of N.A.P.T., David A. Weinstein, was sentenced to probation for three years, ordered to pay more than $600,000 in restitution and costs, and banned from participating in banking and insurance industry activities in Florida.

The Department of Financial Services, which Gallagher oversees, has conducted an aggressive campaign to root out unauthorized insurance activity in Florida, acting against over 200 entities, operators, marketers and agents in the last five years.