While attending law school I worked full time as senior investigator for the State of Minnesota's Department of Commerce. I primarily investigated complaints against real estate agents, appraisers, mortgage originators, and other real estate related licensees.
One of the tactics used then, and still used today, is to use the "easy to prove" violations in order to gain an admission of more serious, difficult to prove charges. The easy to prove charges are those based exclusively on documents. For example, your last renewal listed your address at 1975 Main Street in Hugo. Six months after submitting your last renewal, you move to a new residence, but don't update your address within ten days after moving. Nine months after submitting your last renewal, you become the subject of an investigation and through the course of that investigation the Department learns you failed to update your license to reflect your new address.
If the Department is also investigating you for alleged fraud, it's confidence in moving forward to an Administrative Hearing is bolstered by the fact that you are sure to lose on trial on the charge of failing to notify the Department of Commerce of a change of address within ten days of the change.
Using a lawyer who has been down the path of administrative hearings and understanding the investigation and negotiation tactics of the Department can save you time, money, and a license. If you find yourself under investigation, get an experienced lawyer to help you defend yourself.
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