Released: May 15, 2005

Gonzales - An insurance producer was arrested and surrendered her insurance licenses today on charges that included misappropriation of insurance premium payments, Commissioner of Insurance Robert Wooley said.

Mary Jo Guillot St. Amant, 38, president and 100% owner of Ascension Insurance Agency, LLC, was arrested by the State Police Fraud Unit and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail in Gonzales for misappropriation of funds. At the same time, she surrendered her licenses to Department of Insurance Fraud Unit investigators and agreed to revocation of those licenses. Grounds for the revocation, as outlined in the Stipulation, allege that St. Amant violated the Louisiana Insurance Code by failing to timely remit premium owed and engaging in dishonest practices in the conduct of business.

Department of Insurance records show that St. Amant held personal life & health and property & casualty insurance licenses from October 28, 2003, until today's action. Ascension Insurance Agency's license was also included. Department records show St. Amant and Ascension Insurance Agency's business address as 120 East Cornerview Street, Gonzales LA 70737, and mailing address as P.O. Box 1297, Gonzales, LA 70707.

Commissioner Wooley urges consumers who feel uneasy about an insurance-related transaction with any producer or insurer to call the Department of Insurance Fraud Unit at 225-342-4956. If callers don't want their names used, they can request that their involvement be kept confidential.

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