Bail Bond License Revoked by DIFP

The DIFP has ordered the inactive license of Gerald Cummings be revoked. The department made this ruling after a lengthy administrative and legal process. According to DIFP documents filed in the case, Cummings was found guilty of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon by carrying concealed in 2005. The court suspended imposition of sentence and placed Cummings on probation for five years. The DIFP filed a complaint seeking permission to discipline Cummings. The Administrative Hearing Commission ruled that the DIFP did not have cause to discipline Cummings. The DIFP appealed the AHC decision. Then the Cole County Circuit Court reversed the AHC and found in favor of the department. The DIFP held a disciplinary hearing on June 18th. Cummings did not attend. In the order revoking Cummings' license, Director Doug Ommen said, “A bail bond agent has quasi-police powers including the authority to take custody of defendants released on bail by the courts. The violation of law involving illegally carrying a concealed weapon reveals a disregard of the weapons laws and a significant risk to the courts, defendants released on bail, and the public-at-large in licensing Cummings. In applying this discretion, the Director has considered the history of the Cummings and the circumstances of the violations as described in the grand jury indictment and sentence and judgment."