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Evidence of 'incestuous' relationship between Dept. of Insurance and industry group, judge finds

MONROE, N.C. — A county judge found evidence that can establish the Department of Insurance has a "close and even incestuous" relationship with an industry group it oversees, according to a court filing Friday.

Union County Superior Judge C.W. Bragg issued an order Friday after hearing arguments between Tim Mathis, a Union County bondsman, and an attorney for the DOI. Mathis is contesting a DOI decision to revoke his bondsman license. The department sought to revoke his license after one of its investigators brought criminal charges against Mathis in 2015 on accusations he falsified monthly bond reports. Mathis is currently awaiting trial in the criminal case.

On Friday, Bragg vacated the DOI's decision to permanently revoke Mathis' licenses. Bragg also acknowledged Mathis sought to prove the DOI was showing favoritism toward the North Carolina Bail Agents Association. The industry group is one of two bail bond course providers in the state. Mathis works for the only other provider, the North Carolina Bail Academy.

NCDOI officials confirmed to Channel 9 Monday that Mathis license has been reinstated.

"I'm thrilled obviously. I have been confident since day one," Mathis said in an interview.

Bragg's order raised questions about the relationship between DOI and the NCBAA.

"The court's review of the whole record finds credible evidence exists that can establish Commissioner Wayne Goodwin and the NCDOI have a close and even incestuous relationship with the NCBAA," Bragg wrote.

Goodwin is no longer Insurance Commissioner after a re-election defeat in November. He now chairs the North Carolina Democratic Party. A representative for Goodwin declined comment Monday.

Bragg's order ultimately sends the case back to the DOI to handle. It was not immediately clear what that means for Mathis' case.

"The North Carolina Department of Insurance is currently reviewing the opinion,” North Carolina Department of Insurance said in a statement.

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