FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2021

Louisiana Department of Insurance Serves Two Producers with Cease & Desist Orders, Summary Suspensions, Fines and License Revocation Notices

Investigators from the Insurance Fraud Division at the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) served insurance agent Leslie Claire Trahan of Opelousas with a cease and desist order, summary suspension, $4,000 fine notice and notice of license revocation on May 11, 2021.

Trahan was served for allegedly including false information on or related to insurance applications, forging names on applications, receiving commissions on insurance policies based upon fraudulent applications, withholding premium payments and paying premiums for insurance policies that consumers didn’t request to generate commissions. 

Department records show Trahan was issued an individual producer license on Aug. 23, 2010. She has requested an administrative appeal. 

LDI fraud investigators also served insurance agent Joel Stephen Martinsen of Luling with a cease and desist order, summary suspension, $3,500 fine notice and notice of license revocation on June 2, 2021.

Martinsen is alleged to have submitted fraudulent declaration pages or certificates of insurance while conducting the business of insurance.

Records show Martinsen was issued an individual producer license on Oct. 7, 2002. He has 30 days from time of service to request an administrative appeal or the actions become final. 

The cease and desist order for Trahan may be found here. The cease and desist order for Martinsen may be found here.

Commissioner Donelon urges consumers who feel uneasy about any insurance-related transaction to call the LDI Insurance Fraud Division at 225-342-4956 or 1-800-259-5300. If callers do not want their names used, they can request that their involvement be kept confidential.

About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state’s insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.