521A.10 Sanctions and penalties.
1. If the commissioner finds after notice and hearing that a person subject to registration under section 521A.4 failed without just cause to file a registration statement as required in this chapter, the person shall be required to pay a penalty of one thousand dollars for each day’s delay. The penalty shall be recovered by the commissioner and deposited as provided in section 505.7. The maximum penalty under this section is ten thousand dollars. The commissioner may reduce the penalty if the person demonstrates that the imposition of the penalty would constitute a financial hardship to the person.
2. a. A director or officer of an insurance holding company system who does any of the following is subject to the civil penalty imposed under paragraph “b”:
(1) Knowingly participates in or assents to transactions or investments which have not been properly reported or submitted pursuant to section 521A.4 or section 521A.5, subsection 1, paragraph “b”.
(2) Knowingly permits any of the officers or agents of an insurer to engage in transactions or make investments which have not been properly reported or submitted pursuant to section 521A.4 or section 521A.5, subsection 1, paragraph “b”.
(3) Knowingly violates any other provision of this chapter.
b. An officer or director of an insurance holding company system who commits any of the acts or omissions listed in paragraph “a” shall pay, in the person’s individual capacity, a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars per violation, after notice and hearing before the commissioner. In determining the amount of the civil penalty, the commissioner shall take into account the appropriateness of the penalty with respect to the gravity of the violation, the history of previous violations, and such other matters as justice may require.
3. If it appears to the commissioner that an insurer subject to this chapter has engaged in a transaction or entered into a contract which is subject to section 521A.5 and which would not have been approved had approval been requested, the commissioner may order the insurer to immediately cease and desist any further activity under that transaction or contract. After notice and hearing, the commissioner may also order the insurer to void any contracts and restore the status quo if the commissioner finds that action is in the best interest of the policyholders, creditors, or the public.
4. If it appears to the commissioner that an insurer or a director, officer, agent, or employee of an insurer has committed a willful violation of this chapter, the commissioner may institute criminal proceedings against the insurer or the responsible director, officer, agent, or employee in the district court for the county in which the principal office of the insurer is located, or if the insurer has no office in this state, then in the district court for Polk county. An insurer or individual who willfully violates this chapter is guilty of a class “D” felony.
5. A director or officer, or employee of an insurance holding company system who willfully and knowingly subscribes to or makes or causes to be made any false statements, false reports, or false filings with the intent to deceive the commissioner in the performance of the commissioner’s duties under this chapter is guilty of a class “D” felony. Any fines imposed shall be paid by the director, officer, or employee in the person’s individual capacity.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §521A.10]
86 Acts, ch 1102, §23; 91 Acts, ch 26, §55, 56; 2009 Acts, ch 181, §88
Referred to in §521A.5