By TRACEY DRURY
tdrury@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1609

Four local insurance agents lost their licenses after disciplinary action by the state Insurance Department.

They were among dozens of agents and insurance companies around the state and country who faced disciplinary action by the state. All stipulations have been agreed to by the licensed agents.

• Steven Argo, an agent in Lockport, had his license revoked after collecting insurance premium payments on behalf of various insured individuals and failing to pass the funds along or properly account for the premiums. He was also terminated by his employer.

• Michael Brysinski, an agent in Kenmore, lost his license after signing up three clients for auto payments without knowledge or consent by the customers. He was acting as a sales associate for an insurer when the action occurred last fall.

• Patrick Cain, an agent in Buffalo, lost his license after completing and submitting applications for life and accident insurance without the knowledge or consent of the clients. The applications also contained false and/or inaccurate underwriting information. He also was terminated by his employer.

• Kevin Lorigo, an agent at Lorigo Insurance Group Agency LLC in Orchard Park, lost his license after issuing bad checks for premium payments. He also was cited for commingling insurance premium funds and operating expense funds. The agency was also terminated for cause from several insurers after Lorigo abandoned his insurance agency.

In another action, Phillip DiMartino, an agent in Batavia, paid a $2,000 fine after submitting two fabricated loss history letters purportedly on behalf of two businesses. He was employed as a sales representative with an insurer at the time of the action.

The Insurance Department regulates the insurance sector, including both companies and licensed agents and brokers.