Released: November 18, 2009

An Opelousas bail bond agent and his agency were issued fine notices today for allegedly allowing bail bonds to be written for the agency while its license was lapsed.

Larry Joseph Zerangue, 62, was served by Department of Insurance Fraud Section Investigators today with an $8,800 fine notice for allegedly allowing bail bond agents to issue 44 bonds totaling $523,000 between April 30, 2007 and July 25, 2008, during which time the license of his agency, Zerangue’s Bail Bond’s, was lapsed. Fraud Section Investigators also issued an $8,800 fine notice to the agency. The bail bond agents who wrote the bail bonds during this time were all licensed with the Department.

Department records show that Zerangue was issued a Bail Bond license in April 2004 which is valid through April 2011. Records show that Zerangue’s Bail Bonds, Inc. was issued a Bail Bond license in July 1999, which lapsed between April 2007 and July 2008. The license was reinstated by the Department and is now valid until April 2011. Both licenses will be summarily suspended in 30 days if the fines are not paid, and would then remain suspended until the fines are paid. Zerangue also has 30 days to request a hearing with the Department to seek reversal of this decision.

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.