Released: September 28, 2007

A New Orleans area former bail bond agent has been arrested and issued a cease and desist order for allegedly conducting business without a license and theft of premium.

Adam Z. Barnett, age 48, was arrested by Louisiana State Police yesterday and booked into the Orleans Parish Jail on five fugitive warrants, two counts of felony theft and one felony count of acting as a bail bondsman without a license. He was served by Department of Insurance Fraud Section investigators today with an order to cease and desist from engaging in the business of insurance.

Barnett is alleged to have misrepresented himself as a licensed bail bond agent through Barnett Bonding Service, where he accepted money as premium for bonds that he failed to obtain and file on behalf of the clients, keeping the monies for his own personal use.

Department records show that Barnett held a bail bonds license from June 1981 until January 1999.

Commissioner Donelon urges consumers who have any questions regarding bail bonds transactions with Barnett to call the Department of Insurance Fraud Section at 225-342-4956 or 1-800-259-5300. If callers don’t want their names used, they can request that their involvement be kept confidential.