Shreveport, La. Agent Shut Down

The Louisiana Department of Insurance Fraud Unit investigators served cease and desist and summary suspension orders to licensed insurance agent Tommy Ray Dean of Shreveport, the day after the department served a C&D and summary suspension on Melisa Lynne Blaisdell and Blaisdell Clarius & Associates Inc. in Alexandria.

According to the insurance department, Dean’s cease and desist order states that in one instance he accepted $8,467.38 from a Shreveport business and then allegedly issued two bogus certificates of insurance as proof of coverage without remiting the money to the company or return it to the business.

In another instance, the departemnt alleges that Dean accepted $1,206.00 from a business owner, and again did not remit the money to the insurance company or return it to the business. In addition, the C&D names a number of other persons or businesses who have been issued bogus certificates of insurance coverage by Dean since April of 2001.

Department of Insurance records indicate that Dean has been licensed to sell property and casualty insurance since 1967 and life and health insurance since 1974. His business address is listed in Department files as 3100 Knight Street, Suite 16 in Shreveport.

However, when department investigators arrived at that address they found located there another business with which Dean is apparently associated. Investigators served Dean at a branch office of that business in Minden.

Consumers who purchased insurance or conducted other insurance business with Tommy Ray Dean at 3100 Knight Street, Suite 16,or other locations, should contact their insurance company or companies right away to learn the status of their insurance.

If they have trouble contacting a company or find they have paid out money that an insurance company has not received, they should call the Department of Insurance, at (225) 342-5900 or at the statewide toll-free number, (800) 259-5300, as soon as possible. Consumers who have bought insurance from Melisa Lynne Blaisdell or the Blaisdell Clarius & Associates Inc., should also check on the status of their policies as soon as possible.

Anyone who has information regarding possible fraudulent activities on the part of either Tommy Ray Dean or Melisa Lynne Blaisdell should contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance Fraud Unit at the statewide toll-free number or directly at (225) 342-4956 as soon as possible. Upon request, communication with the Fraud Unit will be kept confidential.

Topics Fraud Agencies Louisiana