June 14, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN – As part of the eighth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman partnered with the state’s leading experts on preventing elder abuse and exploitation at William Mitchell College of Law annual event to raise awareness in this often under-recognized problem. Commissioner Rothman’s presentation, “Preventing Elderly Investment Fraud,” was tailored to health care professionals, focusing on how to spot and report fraud and financial abuse within the elderly and vulnerable adult populations.

June 07, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Commerce will hold a public meeting Monday, June 10, 2013 between 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at South Central College, Conference Center B in North Mankato to gather public input that best addresses the transition to new health coverage for people who have been enrolled in the state’s high risk health insurance pool, Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA).

June 04, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Commerce will hold a public meeting Wednesday, June 5, 2013 between 2:30pm – 4:00pm at the Duluth Public Safety Building – Training Room to gather public input that best addresses the transition to new health coverage for people who have been enrolled in the state’s high risk health insurance pool, Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA).

May 30, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN – Earlier today, 61-year-old Stephen A. Marrone of Saint Paul pleaded guilty to three counts of Theft by Swindle (counts 3, 4, and 6) in connection with multiple incidents of annuities fraud. Marrone and his co-defendant Robert S. Hertz were charged by the Ramsey County Attorney’s on August 31, 2012, after an extensive investigation, conducted by the Department of Commerce Insurance Fraud Division, uncovered an annuity conversion scheme that replaced over $4.2 million of annuities.

May 29, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN –The Minnesota Department of Commerce has uncovered eleven unlicensed sham companies targeting timeshare owners falsely claiming to be able to sell or rent their properties and scamming them into paying thousands of dollars in transaction costs that never result in a sale or rental of their properties. In every case, the company used a fake street address on their website and in the materials they provided to timeshare owners.

May 20, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN —The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources wants low-income Minnesotans—especially seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children—to know that grant funds are still available to help pay their heating bills from the Energy Assistance Program (EAP).

May 17, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Commerce recently took action against Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company due to alleged current or former practices that automatically enrolled consumers into retained asset accounts – without providing beneficiaries with the option to decide whether they wanted life insurance proceeds placed in such accounts which may not have been suitable for the beneficiary or paid in one lump sum cash payment upon the death of policy holder.

May 15, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN – Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman signed a Resolution and Regulatory Settlement Agreement with Prudential Insurance Company today to ensure payment of due and payable proceeds from life insurance policies, annuity contracts, and retained asset accounts to Minnesota beneficiaries, and strengthened procedures to make sure policy holders and beneficiaries receive the unclaimed proceeds from these policies and contracts in a timely manner in the future.

May 02, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN – In light of the 2014 implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the Commerce Department announced today key information regarding the process for assessing the need for, and developing a transition plan for the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA), including a FAQ, timeline, and goals.

April 30, 2013 - SAINT PAUL, MN– In recognition Financial Literacy Month, the Minnesota Department of Commerce today reminds investors of the importance of understanding the distinctions between the various types of financial professionals.