Florida authorities said today that First American Title Insurance Company had agreed to pay $5 million in penalties and costs for allegedly securing business by paying "kickbacks" to builders, bankers, real estate agents and brokers.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink's announcement said the activity alleged was in violation of the Florida Insurance Code and federal law.

The settlement was the latest in a long line of similar agreements reached with officials in other states by title companies throughout the nation after a probe into kickback activity started by the Colorado Insurance Division in 2004.

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