Insurance sales ordered stopped

HELENA — A Washington state man was ordered Monday to stop selling phony insurance in Montana, state Auditor John Morrison said.

Dr. Rev. Joseph Michael Gardinier, of Puyallup, Wash., had no certificate of authority from the state to act as an insurer, but was selling health, auto, home equity and life insurance products, Morrison said.

Gardinier runs The Global Healings Society, which is described on its Web site as a nonprofit church ministry that helps the less fortunate.

He did not immediately return a phone call Monday.

Companies and individuals face up to $5,000 in fines for violating the Montana Insurance Code, said Morrison, who is also Montana’s insurance commissioner.

“Montana citizens should be able to feel that their insurance products are safe and secure,” he said. “My office will work to halt any questionable insurance operations that openly defy and challenge Montana law.”

Morrison said his office planned to propose legislation in the 2005 session to better fight phony insurance.