Q007AS931 03/0^/15 250=00

S T A T E O F WASHINGTON
O F F I C E OF T H E INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

In the Matter of
Order No.
PAUL L. PUKIS

WAOICNo.
NPN/FEIN

Licensee.

5-004:
702752
9129496

CONSENT ORDER LEVYING

A FINE

This Consent Order Levying a Fine ("Order") is entered into by the Insurance
Commissioner of the state of Washington ("Insurance Commissioner"),, acting pursuant to the
authority set forth in RCW 48.02.060, RCW 48.17.530 and RCW 48.17.560, and Licensee
Paul L. Pukis.

BASIS:
1.

Paul L. Pukis ("the Licensee") is a resident insurance producer licensed to do

business in the state of Washington and has been licensed in Washington State since 2007. Mr.
Pukis is a member of the Washington Marijuana Business Association ("MJBA").
2.

The insurance Commissioner's investigator accessed the Licensee's profile on

the MJBA website in late October 2014. At that time, the Licensee's profile claimed that
IJfwJorking with the LCB [Liquor Control Board] and the OIC (Office of the Insurance
Commissioner), I administer the WA State Marijuana Insurance Program and have helped
many marijuana operations get their 1-502 license."
3.

The Licensee's MJBA profile ^incorrectly claimed that he administers a

"Washington State Marijuana bisurance Program'^ through a working relationship with the
Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Liquor Control Board. .Neither the. Insurance
Commissioner nor the Liquor Control Board has a program regarding recreational marijuana

CONSENT ORDER LEVYING A FINE

ORDER NO. 15-0043
I23I2I7

Office of the Insurance Commissioner

PO Bo.x 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255

business insurance that is administered from outside of their agency. The Licensee knew that
neither agency had endorsed or entered into any special arrangement with him.
4.

RCW 48.30.040 requires that no person shall knowingly make, publish, or

disseminate any false, deceptive or misleading representafion or advertising in the conduct of

the business of insurance, or relative to the business of insurance, or relative to any person
engaged in the business of insurance. The Licensee's claim on the MJBA website that he
administered a Washington State Marijuana Insurance Program, with the alleged partnership or
endorsement of the Insurance Commissioner or Liquor Control Board, was false, deceptive, or
misleading, violating RCW 48.30.040.
5. -

RCW 48T7.530(l)(b) allows the Insurance Commissioner to place on

probation, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew an insurance producer's license for
violating any insurance laws, or violating any rule, subpoena, or order of the Insurance
Commissioner or of another state's insurance commissioner.
6.

RCW 48.17.560 allows the Insurance Commissioner to levy a fine on an

insurance producer, in addition to or in lieu of revocation, suspension, placement on probation,

or refusal to renew an insurance producer's license, up to a maximum of one thousand dollars
for each offense. The Licensee's violanon of RCW 48.30.040 jusfifies the imposition of a fine
under RCW 48.17.530(l)(b) and RCW 48.17.560.

CONSENT TO ORDER:
The Insurance Commissioner of the stale of Washington and the Licensee agree that the
best interest of the public will be ser\'ed by entering into this Order. NOW, THEREFORE, the
Licensee consents to the following in consideration of his desire to resolve this matter without
further administrative or judicial proceedings. The Insurance Commissioner consents to settle
this matter in consideration of the Licensee's payment of a fine, and upon such terms and
conditions as are set forth below;
1.

The Licensee acknowledges his dut>' to comply fully with the applicable laws of

the state of Washington.

2.

The Licensee consents to the entr\' of this Order, waives any and all hearing

rights and other procedural rights, and further administrative or judicial challenges to this
Order.

CONSENT ORDER LEVYING A FINE

ORDER NO. 15-0043
1231217

Office of ihe Insurance Commissioner

PO Box 40255
Olympia. WA 98504-0255

3.

By agreement of the panics, the Insurance Commissioner will impose a fine of

S250.00 [Two Hundred Fifty Dollars] to be paid by March 25, 2015.

4.

The Licensee understands and agrees that any further failure to comply with the

statutes and/or regulations that are the subject of this Order constitutes grounds for further
penalties, which may be imposed in direct response to further violations.
5.

This Order and the violations set forth herein consfitute admissible evidence

that may be considered in any future action by the Insurance Commissioner involving the
Licensee. However, the facts of this Order, and any provision, finding or conclusion contained
herein does not, and is not intended to, determine any factual or legal issue or have any
preclusive or collateral estoppel effects in any lawsuit by any party other than the Insurance
Commissioner.

is
EXECUTED this

dav of

.2015.

PAUL L. PUKIS

Signature:

A G R E E D ORDER:
Pursuant to the foregoing factual Basis and Consent to Order, the Insurance Commissioner of
the stale of Washington hereby Orders as follows:
1.

The Licensee shall pay a fine in the amount of $250.00 [Two Hundred Fifty

Dollars], receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by the Insurance Commissioner.

2.

This Order and the violations set forth herein con.stitute admissible evidence

that may be considered in any future action by the Insurance Commissioner involving the
Licensee. However, the facts of this Order, and any provision, finding or conclusion contained
herein does not, and is not intended to, determine any factual or legal issue or have any

CONSENT ORDER LEVYING A FINE

ORDER NO. 15-0043
1231217

Office of the Insurance Commissioner

PO Bo.x 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255

preclusive or collateral estoppel effects in any lawsuit by any party other than the Insurance
Commissioner.

ENTERED this

.2015.

MIKE KREIDLER
Insurance Commissioner
Bv and through his desianee

Darryl U. Colmj
Insurance Enforcement Specialist
Leaal Affairs Division

CONSENT ORDER LEVYING A FINE

ORDER NO. 15-0043
1231217

Office of the Insurance Commissioner

PO Box 40255
Olympia. WA 98504-0255