View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2020/11/05/589773.htm
A former insurance agent in Wisconsin charged with violations of insurance laws has had his license permanently revoked and must pay a penalty of more than $37,000, the state insurance commissioner’s office reported.
The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance said Timothy S. Bratley, who is also a licensed funeral director in northern Wisconsin, was accused of naming himself and his wife as the beneficiary of insurance policies that he sold to his elderly customers.
In one instance, Bratley befriended an elderly widower. The man had no living children and was estranged from his family. Bratley and his brother sold the man a life insurance policy to fund future funeral and burial expenses. Six months later, Bratley had the man transfer ownership of his home and land to him via quit claim deed. That same day, the man signed a will naming Bratley the beneficiary of his estate and a power of attorney naming Bratley’s wife as the man’s general power of attorney. Five years later, Bratley sold the man an annuity and Bratley’s wife was named the primary beneficiary of that annuity.
In the final decision issued on Sept. 18, 2020, Commissioner Mark Afable found that Bratley engaged in unfair trade practices and made a misrepresentation in an application for insurance.
The final decision ordered Bratley to forfeit to the state twice his commission for one self-dealing transaction and pay $1,000 per violation of insurance law. The total financial penalty to Bratley is $37,375 to the State of Wisconsin. Commissioner Afable also ordered that Bratley’s insurance license be permanently revoked.
Source: Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance