Minnesota's AG Fires Back At Willis

By Mark E. Ruquet

NU Online News Service, March 11, 3:37 p.m.EST?Minnesota's attorney general said if Willis hadcomplied with a subpoena in the first instance, his office wouldnot now be in court against the company.[@@]

Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch's comments came inresponse to a statement by Willis that it was "appalled andoffended" Mr. Hatch's investigation of broker fee arrangements withinsurers had led him to move in court Tuesday against thecompany.

Mr. Hatch is seeking to compel the London-based insurance brokerto turn over documents in his probe of questionable broker feeagreements with insurers that work against their clients'interests.

"For 90 days we have exchanged correspondence with the Williscompany over the delivery of company documents," said Mr. Hatch ina statement relayed by department spokeswoman Leslie Sandberg.

"The company has delayed, deferred and not been compliant withour civil subpoena. If they had produced the documents requested,we would not have had to go to court."

Mr. Hatch filed a 400-page motion in state district court in St.Paul, Minn., seeking to compel Willis to produce records for ahandful of Minnesota clients. The attorney general said subpoenaswere sent out last year and the company has failed to produce therequested material.

Dan Prince, a spokesman for Willis, said, "We have no commentbeyond what we released on Tuesday."

Willis said the attorney general requested a voluminous numberof documents in December and the company has attempted to complywith the requests. However, Mr. Hatch's office has refused toengage in discussions to determine what documents the prosecutorwants, the company said.

Willis added that Minnesota is the only state where theprosecutors or regulators have refused such discussions.

Ms. Sandberg said a hearing on the motion is expected within thenext three weeks.