Fla. Bail Bondsman Banned From Industry

A Miami bail bondsman has been banned from the industry after pleading guilty to charges that he diverted more than $30,000 in bond premiums.

Alan Staple, owner of the now defunct Staple Group Inc., doing business as Alan’s Bail Bonds, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grand theft, organized fraud and failure to return bail bond collateral. Miami Dade County Circuit Judge Mary Barzee withheld adjudication, sentencing Staple to two years probation and ordering him to surrender his license to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

He also was ordered to pay restitution and investigative costs of the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud. In accordance with the judge’s order, the Division of Agents and Agencies Services and Division of Legal Services issued a consent order that revokes Staples’ license and permanently bars him from engaging in the bail bond business in this state.

Investigators stated that from October through December 2001, Staple subcontracted to another bond agency, Alpha Bail Bonds. Staple collected $30,814 in bond premiums from approximately 70 clients, which he reportedly failed to turn over to either the other agency or the insurance company.

Staple additionally reportedly failed or delayed the return of $9,600 in collateral to clients after the courts released the funds.