Department of Insurance issues cease-and-desist orders

The Louisiana Department of Insurance issued cease-and-desist orders and license suspensions against two insurance producers, including one in Ascension Parish, for violations of the Louisiana Insurance Code.

According to a news release, LDI issued an order and license suspension March 11 to Kim Marie Holmes for alleged insurance fraud.

Holmes was issued an arrest warrant in Ascension Parish on March 3 and charged with insurance fraud for reportedly attempting to defraud an insurance company for more than $15,900.

According to the release, an investigation by Louisiana State Police found Holmes made material misrepresentations on her renters insurance policy following Hurricane Ida by greatly inflating the price of items claimed as damaged or never purchasing items claimed as damaged from the places reported in the claim.

Also, on March 21, the LDI issued a cease-and-desist order and license suspension to Andrea R. Ceballos for alleged theft of property. Ceballos was arrested in Arkansas and charged with the theft of about $13,000 from the insurance agency where she worked as a producer. Although she is a resident and producer in Arkansas, Ceballos held a non-resident license in Louisiana.