Nicholas Patton Insurance License Revoked for Exam Impersonation Fraud

STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Before the Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services In the matter of: Nicholas Patton E nforc ement Case No. 25-18674 System ID No. 1312328 Respondent. PanNicholas_____________________________/ Issued and entered on April 22, 2026 by Joseph Garcia Senior Deputy Director, and General Coun sel ORDER ACCEPTING STIPULATION Based upon the Stipulation to Entry of Order and the files and records of t he Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) in this matter, the Senior Deputy Director finds a nd concludes that:

1. The Senior Deputy Director has jurisdiction and authority to adop t and issue this Order Accepting
   Stipulation in this proceeding pursuant to the Michigan Administrativ e Procedures Act of 1969 (APA), as amended, MCL 24.201 et seq., and the Michigan Insurance Co de of 1956 (Code), MCL 500.100 et seq.

2. All required notices have been issued in this case, and the notices and service thereof were
   appropriate and lawful in all respects. 3.Acceptance of the Stipulation to Entry of Order is reasonable and in the public interest.

3. All applicable provisions of the APA have been either satisfied or waived by all Parties.

4. On or about March 19, 2026, DIFS served a Notice of Opportunit y to Show Compliance (NOSC) on
   Respondent. In the NOSC, DIFS asserted that Respondent p rovided justification for sanctions pursuant to Sections 1239(1)(a) and 1239(1)(g) of the Code , MCL 500.1239(1)(a) and MCL 500.1239(1)(g).

5. Respondent admits that sanctions are warranted under Sectio n 1239(1)(a) of the Code, MCL
   500.1239(1)(a), because Respondent attempted to and did obtain a license through misrepresentation or fraud.

6. Respondent admits that sanctions are warranted under Sectio n 1239(1)(g) of the Code, MCL
   500.1239(1)(g), because Respondent used fraudulent or disho nest practices and demonstrated untrustworthiness in the conduct of business.

Order Accepting Stipulation Enforcement Case No. 25-18674 Nicholas Patton Page 2 of 2

1. The Director is authorized to take disciplinary action against Respondent's insurance license in
   addition to the imposition of monetary penalties for the above-de scribed statutory violations pursuant to Sections 1239 and 1244 of the Code, MCL 500.1239 and MC L 500.1244. Now therefore, based upon the Stipulation to Entry of Order and the facts surrounding thi s case, IT IS ORDERED THAT: 9. All agreements contained in the Stipulation to Entry of Order are accepted and adopted in their entirety.

2. Respondent shall comply with all terms agreed to in the Stipu lation to Entry of Order. A failure to
   comply with a term in the Stipulation shall be deemed a violatio n of this Order.

3. Respondent's license is hereby REVOKED, effective immediate ly.

4. Respondent shall not reapply for a license administered by the Michigan Department of Insurance
   and Financial Services. Any attempt to do so will constitute a vi olation of this Order and will result in the commencement of additional proceedings.

5. The Senior Deputy Director retains jurisdiction over the mat ters contained herein and has the
   authority to issue such further order(s) as shall be deemed just, necessary, and appropriate in accordance with the Michigan Insurance Code. Failure to abid e by the terms and provisions of the Stipulation to Entry of Order and this Order may result in the commencement of additional proceedings. ______________________ ______________ Joseph A. Garcia Senior Deputy Director, and General Counsel

STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Before the Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services In the matter of: Nicholas Patton Enforcement Case No. 25-18674 System ID No. 1312328

Nichols Pan Respondent. ______________ ___________ ___ _/ STIPULATION TO ENTRY OF ORDER

Nicholas Patton (Respondent) stipulates to the following:

1. Respondent had the opportunity to have this Order Accepting Stip ula tion and Stipulation to Entry of
   Order (collectively "Consent Order") reviewed by legal counsel.

2. Respondent has read and understands this Consent Order.

3. Respondent understands that Respondent has a right to a hea ri ng before an administrative law
   judge, at which DIFS would be required to prove the charges set for th by presentation of evidence and legal authority and at which Respondent would be entitled to appear, to cross-examine all witnesses presented by DIFS, and to present such testimony or ot her evidence or legal authority deemed appropriate as a defense to said charges. Respondent un derstands and intends that by agreeing to the Consent Order, Respondent is knowingly and volunta rily waiving Respondent's right, pursuant to the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956 (Code), MC L 500.100 et seq., the rules promulgated thereto, and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), M CL 24.201 et seq., to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

4. Respondent agrees that all parties have complied with the procedura l requirements of the APA and
   the Code.

5. The Senior Deputy Director retains jurisdiction over the matters contai ned herein.

6. On or about March 19, 2026, the Department of Insurance and Fina ncial Services (DIFS) served
   Respondent with a Notice of Opportunity to Show Compliance (NOS C) alleging that Respondent committed conduct warranting disciplinary action against Respond ent's license and monetary penalties pursuant to Sections 1239 and 1244 of the Code, MCL 500.1 239 and MCL 500.1244.

7. Respondent admits to allowing Alicia Buford to take and pass the onli ne proctored MI Life Producer
   Exam on Respondent's behalf, justifying sanctions under Sections 123 9(1)(a), 1239(1)(g), and 1244 of the Code.

8. Respondent agrees that, in lieu of further disciplinary action, Respond ent' s license shall be revoked,
   effective immediately upon entry of the Consent Order.

Stipulation to Entry of Order Enforcement Case No. 25-18674 Nicholas Patton Page 2 of 2

1. Respondents shall not seek another license administered by DIFS. Any attempt to do so will
   constitute a violation of this Stipulation and will result in the commencement of additional disciplinary proceedings.

2. Both parties consent to entry of the Consent Order upon its approval by the Senior Deputy Director.

3. Respondent understands that this Consent Order will be presented to the Senior Deputy Director for
   approval and that the Senior Deputy Director may or may not approve and adopt it. Respondent further agrees that the Senior Deputy Director has jurisdiction and au th ority to approve and adopt this Consent Order. 12. Respondent waives any objection to the Director deciding this case f ol lowing a Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules hearing in the event that the Conse nt Order is not approved. Nicho lsP at a 4 2 20 26 _________________ _____ ______ _______ ______ ____ _____ _______ __ __ Nicholas Patton, Respondent Date DIFS Staff approve this Stipulation and recommend that the Senior Deputy D ire ctor accept it and issue an Order Accepting Stipulation. __________________________ ____________ ______________ Diego R. Avila (P72657) Date DIFS Staff Attorney

4-13-2026