The state of North Dakota Wednesday announced it has issued a cease-and-desist order against a West Fargo collection agency.
Tim Karsky, commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions, said Credit Services Inc., 405 W. Main, apparently had been doing business without a license between June 30, 2000,
and June 30, 2002.
The order prohibits the company from conducting any business activities in the state.
Karsky said anyone who had been doing business with Credit Services should resolve any outstanding issues and collect their records from the business.
ADVERTISEMENT
The cease-and-desist order also applies to Pamela L. Zinniel, a West Fargo woman associated with the business.
Under North Dakota law, the Department of Financial Institutions has the authority to prohibit individuals from participating in some financial activities if they have been charged with a felony in state or federal court in a case involving "dishonesty or breach of trust."
Zinniel had two prior felony convictions that met those criteria, Karsky said.
Zinniel in 2000 was charged with embezzling more than $45,000 from the West Fargo Hockey Association while working there as a bookkeeper. She was also accused of taking more than $14,700 from American Mail House, a local mail-sorting business, in late 1996 through 1997.
She received a sentence in those cases, including probation, and was ordered to repay the money to the organizations.
Zinniel's criminal record also includes a 1990 Colorado conviction for bank embezzlement. Karsky said Credit Services did not renew its license with the state when it expired in June 2000. He said his office was notified earlier this year that the business was still operating.
The application for a new license was denied because it was incomplete, Karsky said.
Calls to Credit Services Wednesday were not returned.
ADVERTISEMENT
Readers can reach Forum Business Editor Gerry Gilmour at (701) 241-5560
