Wyoming Insurance Warns of Unauthorized Sales by Kevin Kolenda
Summary
The Wyoming Department of Insurance issued a warning regarding Kevin Kolenda, owner of Hole in Won, for allegedly selling unauthorized insurance. A federal grand jury indicted Kolenda on six counts of wire fraud for defrauding organizations and individuals out of nearly $1 million.
What changed
The Wyoming Department of Insurance has issued a warning concerning Kevin Kolenda, owner of Hole in Won, for allegedly selling unauthorized and unlicensed insurance products in Wyoming. These products were marketed to cover prize money awards for fundraisers, such as fishing tournaments. A complaint detailed an instance where a "policy" was purchased, but when a claim was made after a prize fish was caught, Kolenda failed to pay the award and ceased communication.
On or about April 4, 2024, a Federal Grand Jury indicted Kevin Kolenda on six counts of wire fraud, alleging he defrauded multiple parties of nearly $1 million, including approximately $850,000 in insurance premiums and over $100,000 in unpaid prize awards. While Kolenda has not been convicted, his trial is scheduled for August 2025. The Department urges insurance professionals to be diligent in verifying that insurers are properly licensed in Wyoming to protect citizens from insurance fraud.
What to do next
- Verify insurer licensing status with the Wyoming Department of Insurance.
- Exercise diligence when selecting insurance coverage for clients, even when referred by a trusted source.
Penalties
Indicted on six counts of wire fraud, with allegations of defrauding parties out of nearly $1 million.
Source document (simplified)
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THE STATE OF WYOMING
Mark Gordon Department of Insurance
Jeffrey P. Rude
Governor Commissioner
106 E. 6
th Ave. ▪ Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Hole in Won; Kevin Kolenda
The Department is aware that an individual named Kevin Kolenda, owner of a business called Hole in Won, was selling or
attempting to sell unauthorized/unlicensed insurance in the state of Wyoming. The “insurance” being marketed or sold
by Mr. Kolenda was to cover prize money awards for various types of fundraisers including fishing tournaments. A
complaint received by the Department regarding Mr. Kolenda’s activities alleged that a “policy” was purchased from Mr.
Kolenda to cover the prize money award for a fishing tournament. When a contestant caught a prize fish and a claim was
made on the “policy,” Mr. Kolenda did not pay the prize award pursuant to the contract provisions, and eventually
stopped communicating regarding the matter.
On or about April 4, 2024, a Federal Grand Jury returned an indictment against Mr. Kevin Kolenda for six counts of wire
fraud. The indictment alleges Mr. Kolenda defrauded multiple organizations and individuals out of nearly $1 million,
including about $850,000 in insurance premiums and over $100,000 in prize awards that were never paid. Mr. Kolenda
has not been convicted of the crimes alleged in the indictment at this time. The court proceedings regarding Mr. Kolenda
are currently scheduled for trial in August 2025.
The insurance professionals in Wyoming are the first line of defense to protect our Wyoming citizens from becoming
victims of insurance fraud. The Department encourages all insurance professionals to be diligent when selecting
insurance coverage for their clients to ensure that the insurer is properly licensed in this state. Diligence is necessary
even when receiving a referral from a trusted source. If there is ever any question regarding whether an insurer is
licensed in this state, or if you have other concerns regarding possible fraudulent insurance operations, please contact
the Wyoming Department of Insurance at (307) 777-7401.
Administration (307) 777-7401 ▪ Fax (307) 777-2446 ▪ https://doi.wyo.gov/ ▪ Licensing (307) 777-7319 ▪ Consumer Affairs (307) 777-7402
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