Illinois Department of Insurance Disciplinary Report for January 2010

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Insurance announced today that Director of Insurance Michael T. McRaith issued the following disciplinary orders:

• Daniel L. Saul, Granite City - Application for insurance producer license denied, effective November 30, 2009. Mr. Saul's application for a license to sell life, accident and health insurance was denied as a result of an investigation which revealed that he was convicted of felony aggravated battery.

• Gerald M. Pinto, Northbrook - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer license of Mr. Pinto, effective October 8, 2009. Mr. Pinto has been licensed to sell life, accident, health, property, casualty and variable insurance since February 1, 1989. The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $4,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges that Mr. Pinto failed to submit a consumer's reinstatement application to an insurer, misrepresented the status of the reinstatement application to the consumer, and failed to notify the Department in writing that he was doing business as Professional Benefits Group prior to transacting business in that name.

• Lucjan E. Niemiec, Lake Zurich - Insurance producer license of Mr. Niemiec suspended, effective November 16, 2009.  Mr. Niemiec had been licensed to sell life, accident, health, property, casualty and variable insurance since July 7, 2008. His licenses were suspended as a result of an investigation which revealed that Mr. Niemiec is delinquent in paying child support in the amount of $5,385.28 as determined by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Division of Child Support Services.

• Diana L. Eiskant & DLE Insurance Agency Corp., Troy - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer licenses of Ms. Eiskant and DLE Insurance Agency Corp., effective July 1, 2009. Ms. Eiskant and DLE Insurance Agency Corp. have been licensed to sell life, accident, health, property, and casualty insurance since June 12, 1987, and April 27, 1995, respectively. The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $4,323 civil forfeiture, corrective orders, and 180-day license suspensions, alleges that Ms. Eiskant and DLE Insurance Agency Corp. failed to pay a previous civil forfeiture and provided fraudulent proof of restitution as required by a March 24, 2008, Stipulation and Consent Order. 

• Paul D. Hanft, Naperville - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer license of Mr. Hanft, effective November 23, 2009. Mr. Hanft is licensed to sell life, accident, and health insurance. The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $2,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges that Mr. Hanft forged a consumer's signature to an insurance related document without the consumer's knowledge or consent.

• Arthur S. Miller, Highland Park - Stipulation and Consent Order issued regarding the insurance producer license of Mr. Miller, effective November 2, 2009. Mr. Miller has been licensed to sell life, accident, and health and variable insurance since March 6, 2006. The Stipulation and Consent Order, which includes a $5,000 civil forfeiture and corrective orders, alleges that Mr. Miller sold an insurance policy to an Illinois consumer while not properly licensed.

More Information
The Department's mission is to protect consumers by providing assistance and information, by efficiently regulating the insurance industry's market behavior and financial solvency, and by fostering a competitive insurance marketplace. The Department assists consumers with all insurance complaints, including health, auto, life and homeowners.  Consumers in need of information or assistance should visit the Department's web site at www.insurance.illinois.gov or call our toll-free hotline at (866) 445-5364.

If you would like individual disciplinary orders, please call or e-mail Anjali Julka at anjali.julka@illinois.gov or Louis G. Pukelis at louis.pukelis@illinois.gov.