I am a new user & I would greatly appreciate any help.  On August 10, I was notified through email that my producer’s insurance license had lapsed effective August 1 and to contact the State Department of Insurance.  At the office where I work, we have an employee who keeps up with all employees’ continuing education requirements and we usually complete all requirements well in advance, so my first thought upon receiving the email was that the license lapse was a simple misunderstanding.  I immediately called the State Department of Insurance and was told that all my continuing education requirements had been met except for an annual $12.00 renewal fee.  I paid the fee as well as a $50 penalty to reinstate my license effective immediately. I was asked if I had written any policies during the 10 day lapsed period and I told them that I did and that I will be glad to provide them with details of the policies written if needed. 

A few days later, I received a letter from the State Insurance Department explaining that an investigation had been opened & that I have been alleged to have violated Law XXXXXXX where (summarized) a person may not sell or solicit insurance unless the person is licensed for that line.  The letter also contained an affidavit for me to explain and confirm the policies written.  After talking again to the Department of Insurance, it seems that the producer (me) as well as the insurance company will receive a fairly substantial fine per policy written. 

Being a member of FINRA, I am very concerned whether this is a reportable event.  After contacting my compliance director, I am getting mixed responses.  Originally, I was told that if I am fined & a consent order is issued, then it is a reportable event.  Now, I am being told that I need to update my U4 since an investigation has been opened against me.  After getting a copy of the U4 disclosure questions, I am having trouble understanding how this issue corresponds with any of the disclosure questions.  Does anyone know if you have a section on your U4 that describes exactly what occurred (10-day lapse in continuing education requirements) rather than just a simple “yes” check mark by a particular question?  I understand that the violation is because I wrote policies during the 10 day lapsed period, but I want my U4 to state that the license lapsed because of CE requirements and that I am not just some random guy acting as an insurance agent without the property licensing.  The U4 questions seem to deal with fraud, false statements or omissions, & very serious issues, and I am worried that if my U4 states that I have been charged with a misdemeanor, that it could be interpreted by future employers in an incorrect way. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  I am extremely worried about this situation and how it could affect my credibility and status with future job employers.  I never imagined that a 10 day lapse in a state insurance license for continuing education could potentially cause a blemish on my FINRA U4.  Would you recommend calling FINRA directly to see if I could get advice on whether this is a reportable event, and what I need to do?

Again, thanks in advance.