13-11-11. Suspension and removal of debt-settlement provider officers and employees

13-11-11. Suspension and removal of debt-settlement provider officers and employees. 1. The commissioner may issue and serve upon a debt-settlement provider officer or employee, and upon the licensee involved, a complaint stating the basis for the commissioner's belief that the officer or employee is willfully engaging or has willfully engaged in any of the following conduct: a. Violating a law, rule, order, or written agreement with the commissioner; b. Engaging in harassment or abuse, the making of false or misleading representations, engaging in unfair practices involving debt settlement, or engaging in prohibited acts and practices under section 13-11-23; or c. Performing an act of commission or omission or practice that is a breach of trust or a breach of fiduciary duty. 2. The complaint must contain a notice of opportunity for hearing. 3. If a hearing is not requested within twenty days of the date the complaint is served upon the officer or employee, or if a hearing is held and the commissioner finds that the record so warrants, the commissioner may enter an order suspending or temporarily removing the employee or officer from office for a period not exceeding three years from the effective date of the suspension or temporary removal. 4. A contested or default suspension or temporary removal order is effective immediately upon service of the order on the officer or employee and upon the licensee. A consent order is effective as agreed. An officer or employee suspended or temporarily removed from office pursuant to this section is not eligible, while under suspension, for reinstatement to a position with a debt-settlement provider. 5. When an officer or employee, or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs of a licensee, is charged with a felony in state or federal court which involves dishonesty or breach of trust, the commissioner immediately may suspend the person from office or prohibit the person from further participation in the affairs of the debt-settlement provider, or both. The order is effective immediately upon service of the order on the licensee and the person charged and remains in effect until the criminal charge is finally disposed of or until modified by the commissioner. If a judgment of conviction, federal pretrial diversion, or similar state order or judgment is entered, the commissioner may order that the suspension or prohibition be made permanent. A finding of not guilty or other disposition of the charge does not preclude the commissioner from pursuing administrative or civil remedies.