Released: June 16,2008

A former Leesville area bail bond agent has been issued a cease and desist order, license revocation and fine notice today for allegedly conducting business as a bail bondsman without a license. The agent he represented while acting as a bail bondsman was also issued a cease and desist order, six month summary suspension and fine notice.

Emmett Darrell Manasco, 61, was served by Department of Insurance Fraud Section Investigators today with a cease and desist order, revocation of his license and a $10,000 fine notice for allegedly writing 128 bonds between September 2007 and May 2008, during which time his license was expired. Fraud Section Investigators also issued a C&D, six month summary suspension and $5,000 fine notice to Charla Sheilane Holsomback for allowing Manasco to issue bail bonds on behalf of her company, Jerry’s Bail Bonds, without a license and compensating him in accordance with their business agreement.

It is further alleged that Manasco and Holsomback were both notified by the insurer in 2007, and again in 2008, that Manasco’s license was expired and he was to cease and desist from writing any further bonds. Manasco and Holsomback also allegedly failed to comply with a notice from the company instructing that all powers of attorney, corporate seals, equipment, materials or papers used to write bail bonds in the possession of Manasco be returned to Holsomback.

Department records show that Manasco held a property and casualty license from September 2000 until April 2007. Holsomback held a property and casualty license from August 1995 until today’s six month suspension.

Commissioner Donelon urges consumers who feel uneasy about any insurance related transaction to call the Department of Insurance Fraud Section 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.