Insurance

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Insurance Division

 
NEIL ABERCROMBIE
GOVERNOR

KEALII S. LOPEZ
DIRECTOR

GORDON ITO
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2014

State Fines and Revokes License of Ida P. Peppers, Freedom Bail Bond

HONOLULU – Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito revoked the insurance license of Ida Pearson Peppers, and ordered her to immediately cease and desist from doing business as a bail bondsman. Peppers was also fined $25,000 for breaching the terms of her resident producer license to sell surety insurance as a bail agent.

“We hope this sends a clear message to the bail bonds industry that we do not tolerate this type of fraudulent activities,” said Ito. “These are serious violations and we will continue to take action against habitual violators like Ms. Peppers.”

According to the final order, Peppers employed fraudulent and dishonest practices in the conduct of Freedom Bail Bond, her licensed business. Peppers also accrued more than $367,000 in six unpaid bail forfeiture judgments.

State insurance laws require insurance producers acting as bail bond agents to satisfy, pay or discharge, final non-appealable bail forfeiture within 60 days following notice of entry of judgment.

The state Attorney General’s office is currently investigating and pursuing collection of numerous bail forfeitures by Freedom Bail Bond.

The DCCA Insurance Division oversees the Hawaii insurance industry, issues licenses, examines the fiscal condition of Hawaii-based companies, reviews rate and policy filings, and investigates insurance related complaints. For more information about the Insurance Division, visit cca.hawaii.gov/ins or call (808) 586-2790.

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Media Contact:
Lindsay Chambers
Public Information Officer
808-587-6735
[email protected]