Source: http://www.state.me.us/pfr/insurance/orders/02-0503.htm
Timestamp: 2013-05-22 19:48:15
Document Index: 390783605

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1033', '§1033', '§1033', '§230', '§1033', '§1033', '§5302', '§1417', '§1033', '§236']

IN RE: ROBERT M. GAUTHIER
Docket No. INS 02-0503
This proceeding requires consideration of the application of Robert M. Gauthier, a resident of Clinton, Maine, for a waiver to participate in the business of insurance pursuant to 18 United States Code §1033. Title 18 U.S. Code §1033, in relevant part, prohibits a person from being authorized to participate in the business of insurance if he or she has been convicted of a felony that involves dishonesty or breach of trust. That statute further allows a person who has been convicted of a criminal felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust to participate in the business of insurance if that person has the written consent of an insurance regulatory official. Information provided by Mr. Gauthier to the Bureau of Insurance indicates that he was found guilty of "Class B Burglary and Class E Theft by Unauthorized Taking" by the Superior Court, Kennebec County, Maine on May 23, 1981. Although a legal question may exist as to whether a burglary conviction standing alone would be a crime involving dishonesty or breach of trust, this office is of the view that burglary and theft convictions arising out of the same conduct render the provisions of 18 U.S.C. §1033 applicable. A hearing in this matter was held on April 9, 2002. Superintendent of Insurance Alessandro Iuppa designated Thomas M. Record, Senior Staff Attorney as hearing officer. Mr. Gauthier attended, but was not represented by Counsel. Notice of hearing in this matter was issued on April 4, 2002. Fourteen days notice of hearing was waived by Mr. Gauthier and the hearing scheduled at a time mutually fixed by this office and Mr. Gauthier as permitted by 24-A M.R.S.A. §230(2). Arthur Hosford, Staff Attorney, and Dorene Gerrish, Licensing Supervisor, of the Bureau of Insurance participated in the hearing. Mr. Gauthier's application for written consent to engage in the business of insurance indicates that it was prepared in connection with his application for an insurance producer license in the State of Maine. Mr. Gauthier was previously licensed as an insurance agent or producer in Maine from 1987 to 1991. He had left Maine and the insurance business for a period of time, but now seeks to return as an insurance producer. His application for licensure currently is pending before the Bureau. Title 18 U.S.C. §1033 was enacted as part of the omnibus anti-crime bill titled the "Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994" (Public Law 103-322, H.R. 3355). Section 1033 contains no provision that expressly establishes a standard of review for insurance regulatory officials to apply in considering applications for waiver of the prohibition. Congress appears to have left that subject to the discretion of the state officials. Section 1033 waivers of prohibition on employment issued by any state insurance regulatory official allow individuals to be employed in any United States jurisdiction. Accordingly, state insurance commissioners acting through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in March 1998 adopted Guidelines for State Insurance Regulators to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. These guidelines, which were adopted after extensive deliberations and opportunity for public input, recommend the states utilize uniform §1033 application procedures and suggest many practical guidelines for investigation and consideration of any waiver applications received. Not surprisingly, these guidelines are rooted in notions of public protection. The NAIC guidelines state that the following should be considered on a review of the merits1 (parentheticals added):
This standard is analogous to, but somewhat different, than either the "sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust" standard of 5 M.R.S.A. §5302 or the "dishonest, untrustworthy or source of injury or loss to the public" standard found in 24-A M.R.S.A. §1417. The former focuses on the individual. While the latter standards focus on public protection, they do so in the context of providing a standard for suspension or revocation of an existing insurance license, thus requiring consideration of past evidence, not future conduct. The NAIC guidelines appear to be an appropriate standard to be utilized in this instance. The burden of proof that the standard has been met is on Mr. Gauthier.
According to the record of this proceeding, Mr. Gauthier's 1981 burglary and theft convictions stem from an incident occurring in Randolph, Maine in which Mr. Gauthier and several companions entered a residence where no one was home without the knowledge or consent of the owner and drank Old Milwaukee beer from the refrigerator in the house. When police subsequently arrived, members of the group were found to be in possession of other personal property from the residence. The record indicates that Mr. Gauthier completed all terms of his criminal sentence without incident. Mr. Gauthier acknowledges having had an alcohol abuse problem in the past. Mr. Gauthier also expresses a significant amount of remorse for his past conduct which he attributes to his drinking problem. He has participated in Alcoholics Anonymous since 1985 and asserts in his application that he has not drunk alcohol since that time. A positive letter of reference from Arthur F. Jones, LSW, a retired alcohol and drug counselor and Mr. Gauthier's sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous has been provided.
Several letters from past and prospective business associates in the insurance industry have also been provided in support of his application for a waiver. No record of receipt of any consumer complaints against Mr. Gauthier or of any prior disciplinary action taken with respect to his previous insurance producer's license by the Bureau appears on the record of this proceeding. Mr. Gauthier has been licensed with the Office of Securities of the Maine Bureau of Banking since January 26, 2000 and has represented Investors Capital Corporation. He has passed the NASD Series 6 and 7 examinations and the NASAA Series 63 examination. Although Mr. Gauthier did disclose during his testimony that he had been convicted for Operating under the Influence in the 1970's, no record of any arrests or criminal convictions subsequent to the 1981 burglary and theft convictions have been placed on the record of this proceeding. Findings
The activity for which Mr. Gauthier was convicted occurred more than 20 years ago. Evidence of successful rehabilitation was presented, including his successful completion of sentence, his participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and his successful career in the financial services industry in the late 1980's and early 1990's. No contradictory evidence was presented. There is no evidence to suggest that his employment as an insurance producer poses any risk or threat to insurance consumers or to insurers. While both the burden of going forward and the burden of persuasion with respect to an application for written consent for otherwise prohibited persons to engage in insurance activities are on the applicant, Mr. Gauthier has met those burdens. Conclusion and Order
Robert M. Gauthier is granted consent by this Office to engage in insurance activities within the meaning of 18 United States Code §1033 as of April 9, 2002. Notice of Appeal Rights
This Decision and Order is a final agency action of the Superintendent of Insurance within the meaning of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. It is appealable to the Superior Court in the manner provided in 24-A M.R.S.A. §236 and M.R. Civ. P. 80C. Any party to the hearing may initiate an appeal within thirty days after receiving this notice. Any aggrieved non-party whose interests are substantially and directly affected by this Decision and Order may initiate an appeal on or before 40 days after the date appearing below. April 9, 2002