BEFORE THE UTAH INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

UTAH INSURANCE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY ORDER

Complainant,
vs.

RYAN K. GOODRICH, Docket No. 2023-4473 and 2023-4474

and

SYNERGY TITLE INSURANCE Donald H. Hansen

AGENCY, Administrative Law Judge/Presiding Officer

Respondents.

Pursuant to Utah Code §§ 31A-2-201(4)(a) and 63G-4-502(1), Utah Insurance

Commissioner Jonathan T. Pike (“Commissioner”) hereby issues this emergency order against

Ryan K. Goodrich and Synergy Title Insurance Agency (“Respondents”), after determining

based on knowledge and belief that Respondents are engaging in or are about to engage in

conduct prohibited by the Utah Insurance Code, Utah Code Title 31A, and any administrative

rule promulgated thereunder, and such conduct presents an immediate and significant danger to

the public health, safety, or welfare, and that immediate action is necessary and in the public

interest.

In support of this Order, the Commissioner makes the following findings of fact and

conclusions of law which are based on the facts and law set forth in the attached Declaration of

Adam Martin:

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Ryan K. Goodrich (“Goodrich”) is a Utah resident producer individual licensee

holding Utah license number 240271.

2. Synergy Title Insurance Agency (“Synergy”) is a Utah resident producer organization,

100% owned by Goodrich, holding license number 608488.

3. On February 2, 2023, the Utah Insurance Department (“Department”) received

complaint 80403 from ( ) of J notified the

Department that on December 5, 2022, Respondents, through Goodrich, had forged a seller’s

signature on a Warranty Deed and closing statements. Respondent Goodrich had used these

forged documents to defraud the lender, , into wiring $865,723.66 to

Respondent Goodrich for his own personal use.

4. On February 6, 2023, the Department received complaint 80425 from the seller,

( ). reported she had listed her property for sale on KSL.

Respondent Goodrich contacted with an offer to purchase her property. The

property closed on January 20, 2023. Unbeknownst to , on December 5, 2022,

Respondent Goodrich falsified her signature on closing documents and a Warranty Deed for the

sale of the property. The fraudulent Warranty Deed and closing settlement statement appears to

be a cut and paste signature block. Further, the settlement statement page three signatures do not

match the signatures. Respondent Goodrich used these documents to defraud

into wiring $865,723.66 to him. has provided a copy of the incoming

and outgoing wire as proof of payment made to Respondent Goodrich.

5. On February 8, 2023, of ( ) notified

the Department that Respondents, through Goodrich, had issued a Title Commitment on behalf

of on January 31, 2023. Issuing a title commitment states that a title insurance policy will

be issued after closing. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-406, a title agency cannot conduct

2
escrow unless a title policy is issued by a person with an active underwriter appointment.

had terminated Respondent Goodrich’s appointment on January 20, 2023. Respondents, through

Goodrich, issued a fraudulent title commitment and violated the law by issuing title

commitments without an active underwriter appointment. The title commitment that was issued

by the Respondents could bring harm to both the buyer and the underwriter. The buyer will

assume that the property is free and clear of all liens and judgments backed by an insurance

policy that they will not receive. The underwriter may be brought into litigation involving

unissued polices.

6. On February 9, 2023, after talking with , SVP/General Counsel at

( ), the Department learned that Respondents, through

Goodrich, drafted another fraudulent title commitment on January 31, 2023. The Respondents do

not have an appointment with as required by Utah Code § 31A-23a-406. The

Respondents, through Goodrich, issued a fraudulent title commitment and violated Utah law by

issuing title commitments without an active underwriter appointment. The title commitment that

was issued by the Respondents could bring harm to both the buyer and the underwriter. The

buyer will assume that the property is free and clear of all liens and judgments backed by an

insurance policy that they will not receive. The underwriter may be brought into litigation

involving unissued polices.

7. The two title commitments issued without an active underwriter appointment by the

Respondents are attached to property Respondent Goodrich is trying to sell. The Department has

received numerous other complaints which indicate the Respondents continues to violate Utah

law by issuing title commitments without authority to do so.

8. Based on the foregoing, there is substantial cause to believe that an immediate and

3
significant danger to the public health, safety, or welfare exists that requires immediate action.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

9. The Commissioner regulates the business of insurance in Utah pursuant to Title 31A of

the Utah Code.

10. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-2-201(4)(a), the Commissioner is authorized to issue

prohibitory orders to secure compliance with Title 31A.

11. Pursuant to Utah Code § 63G-4-502, the Commissioner is authorized to issue an order

on an emergency basis if the facts known by or presented to the Commissioner show that an

immediate and significant danger to the public health, safety, or welfare exists that requires the

Commissioner’s immediate action.

12. Pursuant to Utah Code Utah Code § 31A-23a-406, a title agency cannot conduct

escrow unless a title policy is issued by a person with an active underwriter appointment.

Respondents violated this law when Respondents issued two fraudulent title commitments

without an active underwriter appointment.

13. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-402, no person shall engage in an unfair or

deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance in Utah. Respondents violated this law by

falsifying signatures on multiple closing documents and a Warranty Deeds that were used to

defraud a lender in the amount of $865,723.66.

14. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(b)(i) Respondents violated Utah

insurance law by being unqualified for a license or line of authority under Utah Code

§§ 31A-23a-104, 31A-23a-105, or 31A-23a-107.

15. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(b)(ii) Respondents violated Utah

insurance law by violating an insurance statute or rule.

4
 16. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(xii) Respondents violated Utah insurance

law when Respondents improperly withheld, misappropriated, or converted money or properties

received in the course of doing insurance business.

17. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(xvi)(A) and (B) Respondents violated

Utah insurance law when in the conduct of business in this state or elsewhere used

fraudulent, coercive, or dishonest practices; or demonstrated incompetence,

untrustworthiness, or financial irresponsibility.

18. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(xviii)(B) Respondents violated Utah

insurance law by forging another’s name to a document related to an insurance

transaction.

19. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(xxiv) Respondents violated Utah

insurance law by engaging in a method or practice in the conduct of business that

endangers the legitimate interests of customers and the public.

ORDER

Based upon the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, effective immediately, it is

ordered that:

1. Respondent Ryan K Goodrich’s Utah resident producer individual license, number

240271, is suspended.

2. Respondent Synergy Title Insurance Agency’s Utah resident producer organization,

license, number 608488, is suspended.

3. Respondent Goodrich and Respondent Synergy Title Insurance Agency shall

immediately cease and desist from conducting any insurance related business in the State of

5
Utah, including but not limited to escrow closings, and the issuance of title commitments and

policies.

4. Respondent Goodrich and Respondent Synergy Title Insurance Agency shall promptly

comply with all requests for information from the Utah Insurance Department.

5. Respondent Goodrich and Respondent Synergy Title Insurance Agency shall promptly

comply with all requests for information from any underwriters.

DATED this 15th day of February 2023.

JONATHAN T. PIKE
Utah Insurance Commissioner

/s/ Donald H. Hansen

DONALD H. HANSEN
Administrative Law Judge/Presiding Officer
Utah Insurance Department
4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2300
Taylorsville, UT 84129
Telephone: 801-957-9321
Email: uidadmincases@utah.gov

6
 DECLARATION

Under criminal penalty of Utah law, I , Adam Martin, personally attest to the facts set

forth in the Findings of Fact and declare the following:

1. I am currently employed as a Market Conduct Examiner with the Utah Insurance

Department (“Department”) where my responsibilities include investigating and enforcing Utah

insurance laws.

2. I submit this Declaration as the basis for issuing an Emergency Order against Ryan K.

Goodrich and Synergy Title Insurance Agency (“Respondents”) to which this Declaration is

attached.

3. Based on my personal knowledge and/or based on the facts appearing in the

Department’s records and files, the following facts are true:

a. Ryan K. Goodrich (“Goodrich”) is a Utah resident producer individual licensee holding

Utah license number 240271.

b. Synergy Title Insurance Agency (“Synergy”) is a Utah resident producer organization,

100% owned by Goodrich, holding license number 608488.

c. On February 2, 2023, the Utah Insurance Department (“Department”) received

complaint 80403 from ( ) of . notified the

Department that on December 5, 2022, Respondents, through Goodrich, had forged a seller’s

signature on a Warranty Deed and closing statements. Respondent Goodrich had used these

forged documents to defraud the lender, , into wiring $865,723.66 to

Respondent Goodrich for his own personal use.

d. On February 6, 2023, the Department received complaint 80425 from the seller,

(“ ”). reported she had listed her property for sale on KSL.

7
Respondent Goodrich contacted with an offer to purchase her property. The

property closed on January 20, 2023. Unbeknownst to , on December 5, 2022,

Respondent Goodrich falsified her signature on closing documents and a Warranty Deed for the

sale of the property. The fraudulent Warranty Deed and closing settlement statement appears to

be a cut and paste signature block. Further, the settlement statement page three signatures do not

match the signatures. Respondent Goodrich used these documents to defraud

into wiring $865,723.66 to him. has provided a copy of the incoming

and outgoing wire as proof of payment made to Respondent Goodrich.

e. On February 8, 2023, of ( ) notified

the Department that Respondents, through Goodrich, had issued a Title Commitment on behalf

of on January 31, 2023. Issuing a title commitment states that a title insurance policy will

be issued after closing. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-406, a title agency cannot conduct

escrow unless a title policy is issued by a person with an active underwriter appointment.

had terminated Respondent Goodrich’s appointment on January 20, 2023. Respondents, through

Goodrich, issued a fraudulent title commitment and violated the law by issuing title

commitments without an active underwriter appointment. The title commitment that was issued

by the Respondents could bring harm to both the buyer and the underwriter. The buyer will

assume that the property is free and clear of all liens and judgments backed by an insurance

policy that they will not receive. The underwriter may be brought into litigation involving

unissued polices.

f. On February 9, 2023, after talking with , SVP/General Counsel at

( ), the Department learned that Respondents, through

Goodrich, drafted another fraudulent title commitment on January 31, 2023. The Respondents do

8
not have an appointment with as required by Utah Code § 31A-23a-406. The

Respondents, through Goodrich, issued a fraudulent title commitment and violated Utah law by

issuing title commitments without an active underwriter appointment. The title commitment that

was issued by the Respondents could bring harm to both the buyer and the underwriter. The

buyer will assume that the property is free and clear of all liens and judgments backed by an

insurance policy that they will not receive. The underwriter may be brought into litigation

involving unissued polices.

g. The two title commitments issued without an active underwriter appointment by the

Respondents are attached to property Respondent Goodrich is trying to sell. The Department has

received numerous other complaints which indicate the Respondents continues to violate Utah

law by issuing title commitments without authority to do so.

h. Based on the foregoing, there is substantial cause to believe that an immediate and

significant danger to the public health, safety, or welfare exists that requires immediate action.

4. The above declared facts demonstrate that the following Utah insurance law(s) were

not complied with:

a. Pursuant to Utah Code Utah Code § 31A-23a-406, a title agency cannot conduct

escrow unless a title policy is issued by a person with an active underwriter appointment.

Respondents violated this law when Respondents issued two fraudulent title commitments

without an active underwriter appointment.

b. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-402, no person shall engage in an unfair or

deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance in Utah. Respondents violated this law by

falsifying signatures on multiple closing documents and a Warranty Deeds that were used to

defraud a lender in the amount of $865,723.66.

9
 c. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(b)(i) Respondents violated Utah

insurance law by being unqualified for a license or line of authority under Utah Code

§§ 31A-23a-104, 31A-23a-105, or 31A-23a-107.

d. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(b)(ii) Respondents violated Utah

insurance law by violating an insurance statute or rule.

e. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(xii) Respondents violated Utah insurance law

when Respondents improperly withheld, misappropriated, or converted money or properties

received in the course of doing insurance business.

f. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(xvi)(A) and (B) Respondents violated

Utah insurance law when in the conduct of business in this state or elsewhere used

fraudulent, coercive, or dishonest practices; or demonstrated incompetence,

untrustworthiness, or financial irresponsibility.

g. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(xviii)(B) Respondents violated Utah

insurance law by forging another’s name to a document related to an insurance

transaction.

h. Pursuant to Utah Code § 31A-23a-111(xxiv) Respondents violated Utah

insurance law by engaging in a method or practice in the conduct of business that

endangers the legitimate interests of customers and the public.

DATED this 14th day of February 2023, at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.

/s/ Adam Martin

Adam Martin, Market Conduct Examiner
Utah Insurance Department

10
 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

The undersigned hereby certifies that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Emergency

Order was mailed to:

Ryan K. Goodrich

Synergy Title Insurance Agency

and

Adam Martin
4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2300
Taylorsville, UT 84129

DATED this 15th day of February 2023.

/s/ Jeanine Couser

Jeanine Couser
Utah Insurance Department
4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2300
Taylorsville, UT 84129
801-957-9321

11