Minnesota's AG Fires Back At Willis

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 had complied with a subpoena in the first instance, his office would not now be in court against the company.[@@]

Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch's comments came in response to a statement by Willis that it was "appalled and offended" Mr. Hatch's investigation of broker fee arrangements with insurers had led him to move in court Tuesday against the company.

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

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

"The company has delayed, deferred and not been compliant with our 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 a handful of Minnesota clients. The attorney general said subpoenas were sent out last year and the company has failed to produce the requested material.

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

Willis said the attorney general requested a voluminous number of documents in December and the company has attempted to comply with the requests. However, Mr. Hatch's office has refused to engage in discussions to determine what documents the prosecutor wants, the company said.

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

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