Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company D/B/A American Memorial Park, Grand Prairie, Texas Gerald Weatherall And Beverly Randall-Weatherall v. Texas Department of Banking Commissioner ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
03-15-00341-CV
7955647
THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
11/23/2015 3:42:52 PM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
CLERK
03-15-00341-CV
In the Court of Appeals for the Third District of Texas FILED IN
3rd COURT OF APPEALS
Austin, Texas AUSTIN, TEXAS
____________________________________ 11/23/2015 3:42:52 PM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
Clerk
ANTIOCH ST. JOHNS CEMETERY COMPANY
D/B/A AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK, GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS;
GERALD WEATHERALL; AND BEVERLY RANDALL-WEATHERALL
Appellants
V.
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF BANKING COMMISSIONER,
Appellee
____________________________________
On Appeal from the 261st Judicial District Court of Travis County, Texas,
Cause No. D-1-GN-14-000367
____________________________________________________________
BRIEF OF APPELLEE
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF BANKING COMMISSIONER
____________________________________________________________
KEN PAXTON ANN HARTLEY
Attorney General of Texas Attorney in Charge
State Bar No. 09157700
CHARLES E. ROY
First Assistant Attorney General Office of the Attorney General
Financial Litigation and
JAMES E. DAVIS Charitable Trusts Division
Deputy Attorney General PO Box 12548
for Civil Litigation Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Tel: (512) 936-1313
LESLI G. GINN Fax: (512) 477-2348
Division Chief, Financial Litigation ann.hartley@texasattorneygeneral.gov
and Charitable Trusts Division COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE
NO ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Record and Party References ..................................................................... v
Statement of the Case .............................................................................. vii
Issues Presented for Review .................................................................... viii
Statement of Facts ...................................................................................... 1
Weatheralls buy the St. Johns cemetery In 2009...................................... 1
Violations, Cease and Desist Order, Administrative Hearing .................... 1
Motion For Rehearing............................................................................... 3
Lawsuit ..................................................................................................... 4
Summary of the Argument .......................................................................... 4
Standard of Review .................................................................................... 5
Issue 1 Appellants did not preserve for judicial review any
argument not raised in the Motion For Rehearing. ............... 6
Issue 2 The Commissioner’s Final Order was supported
by substantial evidence. ..................................................... 10
Issue 3 The assessment of an administrative penalty
against Gerald Weatherall was authorized by
law and supported by substantial evidence. ....................... 17
A. The Commissioner is authorized to
assess penalties against an individual. ........................ 17
B. St. Johns operated without a corporate charter. .......... 22
Prayer ....................................................................................................... 23
Certificate of Compliance .......................................................................... 25
Certificate of Service ................................................................................. 25
Appendix................................................................................................... 26
ii
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Cases
BFI Waste Sys. v. Martinez Envtl. Group
93 S.W.3d 570 (Tex.App.-Austin 2002, pet. denied)................................ 7
Castleberry v. Branscum
721 S.W.2d 270 (Tex. 1986) ................................................................. 21
Entergy Gulf States, Inc. v. Public Util. Comm'n of Tex.
173 S.W.3d 199 (Tex.App.–Austin 2005, pet. denied) ......................... 4, 7
Firemen's & Policemen's Civil Serv. Comm'n v. Brinkmeyer
662 S.W.2d 953 (Tex. 1984) ................................................................. 12
Granek v. Texas State Bd. of Med. Exam'rs
172 S.W.3d 761 (Tex.App.–Austin 2005, no pet.).................................... 6
Hill v. Bd. of Trustees
40 S.W.3d 676 (Tex. App.–Austin 2001, no pet.)..................................... 7
Imperial American Resources Fund, Inc. v. Railroad Commission
557 S.W.2d 280 (Tex. 1977) ................................................................. 10
Montgomery Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Davis
34 S.W.3d 559 (Tex. 2000) ..................................................................... 6
Pierce v. Texas Racing Comm'n
212 S.W.3d 745 (Tex.App.–Austin 2006, pet. denied) ............................. 6
Scally v. Texas State Bd. of Med. Examiners
351 S.W.3d 434 (Tex. App.–Austin 2011, pet. denied) .......................... 12
State v. Malone Svc. Co.
853 S.W.2d 82 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 1993, writ denied) . 18, 19
Tex. Alcoholic Beverage Commission v. Quintana
225 S.W.3d 200 (Tex.App.–El Paso 2005, pet. denied)................... 7, 8, 9
iii
Tex. Health Facilities Comm'n v. Charter Med. Dallas, Inc.
665 S.W.2d 446 (Tex. 1984) ....................................................... 4, 10, 14
Statutes
TEX. BUS. CORP. ACT art. 2.21 ................................................................... 10
TEX. BUS. CORP. ACT art. 11.02(B) ............................................................. 10
TEX. GOV’T CODE § 311.005....................................................................... 18
TEX. GOV’T CODE § 2001.071..................................................................... vii
TEX. GOV’T CODE § 2001.074(2)(A)-(F) ........................................................ 5
TEX. GOV'T CODE § 2001.174................................................................... 5, 6
TEX. GOV'T CODE § 2001.174(2)(E)............................................................ 12
TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 711.021 ..................................................... 20
TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 711.0442 ....................................... 16, 18, 20
TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 711.055 ........................................... 5, 18, 20
TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 711.056 ................................... 16, 17, 18, 20
TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 712.003 ....................................................... 2
TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 712.0441 ................................... 5, 17, 18, 20
iv
RECORD AND PARTY REFERENCES
Gerald Weatherall is an appellant, as is Beverly Randall-Weatherall.
The term “Mr. Weatherall” refers to Gerald, because Gerald was found to
be the person responsible for violations of law (3 RR 441/425, # 21), Beverly
was found to have not exercised responsibility for cemetery operations
(3 RR 431/415/17, # 16), the administrative penalty at issue was assessed
against Gerald but not Beverly (3 RR 446/429), and the judgment now
appealed affirmed the administrative order assessing a penalty against
Gerald but not Beverly (CR 14).
“St. Johns” refers to the cemetery in Grand Prairie, Dallas County,
Texas, known as Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company d/b/a American
Memorial Park.
“DOB” refers to the Texas Department of Banking.
“Apt. Br.” refers to Appellant’s Brief.
The Reporter’s Record comprises three volumes. References to the
first two volumes of the Reporter’s Record will show the volume number
before “RR” and the page number afterward. “2 RR 4" refers to page 4 of
Volume 2 of the Reporter’s Record.
v
The third volume contains the administrative record that was admitted
as Joint Exhibit 1 in the trial court (2 RR 4). Because this record was compiled
for this Court in Adobe format, there are several page-numbering systems
for most documents: the Adobe page, the “Banking Dept”-stamped page,
and the internal, document-specific page.
Page numbers will be listed, separated by a slash, in this order:
(1) Adobe page,
(2) Banking Dept-stamped page,
(3) internal, document-specific page where appropriate.
For example, (3 RR 36/23/6) refers to the third volume of the Reporter’s
Record, Adobe page 36 (easiest to find on a computer) / Banking Dept page
23 stamped on top of the page for filing with the trial court, and / page 6 of
the document it is part of (the hearing transcript). Where there are only two
page numbers, there is no internal page numbering, or the document has
only a few pages.
The Clerk’s Record is referred to as “CR.” There is only one volume,
so “CR 14" refers to page 14 of the Clerk’s Record.
vi
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
The Texas Department of Banking regulates perpetual care
cemeteries. Appellants were operating the Antioch St. Johns Cemetery
Company d/b/a American Memorial Park, a perpetual care cemetery.
Department of Banking staff initiated an enforcement action against
Appellants and after a hearing, on November 25, 2013, the Department of
Banking Commissioner issued a Final Order against Appellants (3 RR
446/429) adopting the Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions, including
specifically the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. The Final Order
assesses an administrative penalty of $56,000 against Antioch St. Johns
Cemetery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park (“St. Johns”) and Gerald
Weatherall, Sr. (“Mr. Weatherall”), in his individual capacity and in his
capacity as former President of St. Johns.
After Appellants’ Motion for Rehearing was denied, Appellants sought
judicial review as authorized by Texas Government Code Section 2001.071
(CR 3, 10).
After a hearing, on April 30, 2015, the Travis County District Court
affirmed the Final Order (CR 14), and Appellants filed notice of appeal
(CR 15).
vii
ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW
1. Appellants did not preserve for judicial review any arguments not
raised in the Motion for Rehearing.
2. The Commissioner’s Final Order was supported by substantial
evidence.
3. The assessment of an administrative penalty against Gerald
Weatherall was authorized by law and supported by substantial evidence.
viii
STATEMENT OF FACTS
Weatheralls Buy the St. Johns Cemetery in 2009
In 2009, the Weatheralls purchased St. Johns, a cemetery operation
and business. (3 RR 418/402/4). Starting in 2009, DOB staff performed three
audits or examinations of cemetery operations and prepared a Report of
Examination for each audit, setting out the violations observed and
assessing the adequacy of Mr. Weatherall’s attempts at compliance. (3 RR
420/404/6).
Violations, Cease and Desist Order, Administrative Hearing
Due to persistent violations and Mr. Weatherall’s failure to correct
them, Certificate of Authority No. 74 to operate the cemetery was not
renewed when it expired March 1, 2012. (3 RR 424/408/10). Mr. Weatherall
continued operating, without a certificate of authority, so an Emergency
Order to Cease and Desist was issued May 16, 2012. (3 RR 424/408/10).
Mr. Weatherall violated this Order (3 RR 441/425/27, #19) by burying the
body of a person on June 14, 2012 and failing to send documentation to DOB
as required by the Order.
As a result of Mr. Weatherall’s continued poor performance, DOB staff
initiated the administrative proceeding (3 RR 420/404/6) that resulted in the
Commissioner’s Final Order (CR 14) adopting the Proposal for Decision
1
Following Exceptions (“PFD”) (3 RR 415/399/1) and assessing
administrative penalties.
The Commissioner found, among other things, that the condition of the
cemetery deteriorated after Mr. Weatherall took over; parts of the cemetery
were not properly marked; graves had collapsed, creating deep sinkholes
(3 RR 423-433/416-417/18-19, #21); the internment register reflected two
burials in the same space on eight occasions; on four occasions the burial
card showed a person was buried in a plot while the internment register
showed the burial of another person in that plot (3 RR 433/417/19, #24); on
four occasions the burial cards and the internment register showed different
burial plots for the same person; and on four occasions, the burial cards and
the internment register show different persons were buried in the same plot
(3 RR 434/418/20, #24); the cemetery company sold plots on many
occasions without having filed with the county clerk an accurate map or plat
showing the location of the cemetery plots; and the cemetery company
continued operating after March 1, 2012, when Certificate of Authority No.
74 (required for lawful operation of a perpetual care cemetery, TEX. HEALTH
& SAFETY CODE §§ 712.003, .0032) expired (3 RR 435/419/21, ##34, 36).
The Commissioner also found that, although Mr. Weatherall attempted
to address some violations brought to his attention, the failure to correct them
2
and his continual repetition of some violations established a pattern of willful
disregard for the law applicable to perpetual care cemeteries.
(3 RR 436/420/22, #38).
After listing the numerous violations of applicable law (3 RR 437-
441/421-425/23-27) by Mr. Weatherall, the administrative law judge (“ALJ”)
found that the evidence supported an administrative penalty in an amount up
to $70,000.00 (3 RR 441/425/27, #23). However, because DOB had not
renewed the Certificate of Authority for the cemetery, Mr. Weatherall’s
cemetery company was no longer in business, and Mr. Weatherall neither
owned the cemetery property nor conducted cemetery operations any
longer, the ALJ recommended an administrative penalty up to only
$56,000.00 (3 RR 442/426/28).
Motion for Rehearing
Appellants timely filed a Motion for Rehearing (3 RR 449/431), a two-
page document that does not cite or refer to any finding of fact or conclusion
of law. DOB replied (3 RR 452/433), noting that, “The substance of the
Motion is contained in one sentence and wholly fails to apprise the Texas
Banking Commissioner (Commissioner) of the legal basis upon which
Respondents request a rehearing.” The Motion for Rehearing was denied
(3 RR 457/437).
3
Lawsuit
Appellants timely filed suit in Travis County seeking judicial review of
DOB’s decision (CR 3), hearing was had on April 30, 2015, and judgment
was rendered April 30, 2015 affirming the Commissioner’s Order. (CR 14).
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
Appellants preserved no argument for judicial review because the
Motion for Rehearing, while timely, contains no argument and mentions not
a single finding of fact or conclusion of law in the PFD. An appellant must
raise his issues in his motion for rehearing to preserve them for review. See
Entergy Gulf States, Inc. v. Public Util. Comm'n of Tex., 173 S.W.3d 199,
210 (Tex.App.–Austin 2005, pet. denied).
Since Appellants preserved no argument to challenge the
Commissioner’s Final Order, the trial court was entitled to presume that the
order was supported by substantial evidence, while the burden was on
Appellants to prove otherwise. See Tex. Health Facilities Comm'n v. Charter
Med. Dallas, Inc., 665 S.W.2d 446, 453 (Tex. 1984).
Even without this presumption, Appellants have not pointed to a speck
of evidence to support any challenge to the Commissioner’s Final Order —
in the trial court or in Appellants’ Brief.
4
The Commissioner was authorized by Health and Safety Code
Sections 712.0441 and 711.055, and by the evidence, to assess an
administrative penalty of $56,000.00 against Mr. Weatherall in his individual
capacity.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
This Court’s review of the Commissioner’s Final Order is governed by
the “substantial evidence” standard in the Texas Administrative Procedure
Act (“APA”). TEX. GOV’T CODE § 2001.074.
This standard requires that the Court reverse or remand a case for
further proceedings “if substantial rights of the appellant have been
prejudiced because the administrative findings, conclusions, or decisions”
are:
(A) in violation of a constitutional or statutory provision,
(B) in excess of the agency's statutory authority,
(C) made through unlawful procedure,
(D) affected by other error of law,
(E) not reasonably supported by substantial evidence considering
the reliable and probative evidence in the record as a whole, or
(F) arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or
clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.
TEX. GOV’T CODE § 2001.074(2)(A)-(F).
5
With respect to subparagraph (E), the test is not whether the Court
believes the Commissioner reached the correct conclusion, but whether his
factual findings are reasonable “in light of the evidence from which they were
purportedly inferred.” Granek v. Texas State Bd. of Med. Exam'rs, 172
S.W.3d 761, 778 (Tex.App.–Austin 2005, no pet.). The Court may not
substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner on the weight of the
evidence on matters committed to agency discretion. See TEX. GOV'T CODE
§ 2001.174; Pierce v. Texas Racing Comm'n, 212 S.W.3d 745, 751
(Tex.App.–Austin 2006, pet. denied).
On appeal from the district court’s judgment, the focus is on the
Commissioner’s decision. See Montgomery Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Davis,
34 S.W.3d 559, 562 (Tex. 2000).
ISSUE 1
Appellants did not preserve for judicial review any
arguments not raised in the Motion for Rehearing.
Appellants preserved no argument for judicial review because the
Motion for Rehearing, while timely, contained no argument and mentioned
not a single finding of fact or conclusion of law in the PFD. The PFD contains
39 Findings of Fact and 23 Conclusions of Law (3 RR 429-441/413-425).
The Motion for Rehearing did not mention a single one. The single
substantive sentence-paragraph states in its entirety:
6
To the extent that the Movants disagree with the penalties
assessed against the individual movants in their individual
capacities, and that such penalties do no[t] comport with the
finding of facts by the Administrative Law Judge and the rules
regarding governance of cemeteries for the state of Texas,
Movants request a rehearing in this cause.
(3 RR 449/431).
An appellant must raise his issues in his motion for rehearing to
preserve them for review. See Entergy Gulf States, Inc. v. Public Util.
Comm'n of Tex., 173 S.W.3d 199, 210 (Tex.App.–Austin 2005, pet. denied)
("The motion for rehearing must be sufficiently definite to allow the agency
to cure the error or defend the order. . . . To preserve the issue for review,
the party must state in the motion for rehearing the particular issue the party
asserts was error and the legal basis upon which the claim rests.")1
The motion for rehearing must specify: (1) the particular finding of fact,
conclusion of law, ruling or other action by the agency that was purportedly
in error, and (2) the legal basis for claiming the error. Tex. Alcoholic
Beverage Commission v. Quintana, 225 S.W.3d 200, 203 (Tex.App.–El Paso
2005, pet. denied). Both elements must be present, and neither element may
1 This is a different question from whether a motion for rehearing confers
jurisdiction on the district court. See BFI Waste Sys. v. Martinez Envtl. Group, 93 S.W.3d
570, 578 (Tex.App.–Austin 2002, pet. denied) ("The timely filing of a motion for rehearing
is jurisdictional, but the sufficiency of the motion's content goes solely to the issue of
preservation of error.") (citing Hill v. Bd. of Trustees, 40 S.W.3d 676, 679 (Tex. App.–
Austin 2001, no pet.)
7
be stated solely in generalities. Id. (“It is insufficient to state that the order is
not supported by substantial evidence.")
Appellants’ Motion for Rehearing does not preserve the errors about
which Appellants now complain. At best, the particular agency action
complained of in this sentence is the administrative penalty assessed against
Mr. Weatherall in his individual capacity. Therefore, the Motion for Rehearing
fails to preserve error as to any finding of fact, conclusion of law, or agency
action other than the administrative penalty against Mr. Weatherall
individually. Moreover, the Motion for Rehearing specifies no legal basis for
complaining about the penalty against Mr. Weatherall. To say merely that
"such penalties do no[t] comport with the findings of facts," is no different
from saying that the penalties are not supported by substantial evidence,
which is insufficient to preserve error. See Quintana, 225 S.W.3d at 203.
In Quintana, the plaintiff in her motion for rehearing "respectfully
request[ed] that the cancellation be reconsidered because the evidence
presented at trial does not support the cancellation and constitutes a harsh
penalty." Id. at 204. The court found this statement to be insufficient to
preserve error, noting that while Quintana "specified the ruling she asserted
was error, namely, the cancellation of her license and permit, she did not
challenge any of the specific factual findings forming the basis of the
8
Commission's decision to cancel her permit and license." Id. Here, the PFD
contains 39 findings of fact, 24 of which, taken together, find that violations
occurred and that Mr. Weatherall is responsible for them in his individual
capacity. (3 RR 430-436/414-420/16-20; 441/425 #21.) As in Quintana, the
Appellants' single sentence fails to challenge any factual findings forming the
basis of the administrative penalty assessed against Mr. Weatherall.
The Quintana court also explained that to the extent Quintana
"intended to appeal the Commission's legal conclusion that Section
11.61(b)(13) does not require proof that the employee was on duty or acting
within the course and scope of employment, she was required to state this
legal basis for the appeal in her motion for rehearing." Id. Here, Appellants
state in their brief (Apt. Br. 7) that "Mr. and Mrs. Weatherall are shielded by
the existence of St. Johns as a corporate entity unless it is found that the
corporation has been used to perpetuate [sic] a fraud." But, under the court's
analysis in Quintana, Appellants were required to state this legal ground for
appeal in their Motion for Rehearing. They failed to do so. Because
9
Appellants have preserved no issue for judicial review, the Court should
uphold the trial court’s affirmance of the Commissioner’s Final Order. 2
ISSUE 2
The Commissioner’s Final Order was supported by
substantial evidence.
Since Appellants preserved no argument to challenge the
Commissioner’s Final Order, the trial court was entitled to presume that the
order was supported by substantial evidence. See Tex. Health Facilities
Comm'n v. Charter Medical Dallas, Inc., 665 S.W.2d 446, 453 (Tex. 1984)
(“Charter Medical”):
The findings, inferences, conclusions, and decisions of an
administrative agency are presumed to be supported by
substantial evidence, and the burden is on the contestant to
prove otherwise. Imperial American Resources Fund, Inc. v.
Railroad Commission, 557 S.W.2d 280, 286 (Tex. 1977).
Even without this presumption, Appellants have not pointed to any
evidence to support any challenge to the Commissioner’s Final Order. The
entire Appellant’s Brief contains a total of two record cites (to 3 RR
436/420/22, Findings of Fact ##38 and 39). Appellants assert that the co-
2 Appellants cite Article 2.21 of the Texas Business Corporation Act (“BCA”)
(Apt. Br. 6). On January 1, 2010, the BCA expired and was replaced by the Texas
Business Organizations Code. See TEX. BUS. CORP. ACT art. 11.02(B) (“This Act expires
January 1, 2010.”). The Business Organizations Code limits an individual’s liability for a
corporation’s obligations, but the administrative penalty in this case was assessed not
only against the corporation but against Mr. Weatherall in his individual capacity.
10
existence of these two findings of fact “within the same opinion” shows that
“the ALJ opinion is arbitrary and capricious.” (Apt. Br. 5). To the contrary,
these findings simply show that the ALJ recognized Mr. Weatherall’s efforts
to address some of the continual violations and still concluded that the
frequent repetition of the some of the violations showed a willful disregard
for the requirements of the law applicable to perpetual care cemeteries.
The presumption that the order was supported by substantial evidence
is intact in light of the absence of any record cite to any evidence to the
contrary.
The Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the PFD are well
summarized by the ALJ:
The evidence presented at the hearing proved a pattern of wilful
disregard concerning the violations. It appears that the main
reason[] for the continuing violations [was] ignorance of the law
at first, but later was incompetence and an indifference
concerning management of the cemetery and the cemetery
company. Nevertheless, the evidence proves the factors that
support making a finding of wilful disregard. A determination of
the issue of wilful disregard would not have a practical impact in
this case, however, because the staff has recommended a less
monetary penalty than what would be the maximum.
(3 RR 428/412/14).
Even if the Court concludes that Appellants have preserved any error
to challenge the Final Order, the Commissioner’s conclusions of law and
11
administrative penalties are supported by substantial evidence. The APA
authorizes a reviewing court to test an agency's findings, inferences,
conclusions, and decisions to determine whether they are reasonably
supported by substantial evidence considering the reliable and probative
evidence in the record as a whole. See TEX. GOV'T CODE § 2001.174(2)(E).
Whether the agency's order satisfies the substantial-evidence standard is a
question of law. Scally v. Texas State Bd. of Med. Examiners, 351 S.W.3d
434, 441 (Tex. App.–Austin 2011, pet. denied), citing Firemen's &
Policemen's Civil Serv. Comm'n v. Brinkmeyer, 662 S.W.2d 953, 956
(Tex. 1984). A court is to presume that the order is supported by substantial
evidence and a plaintiff or appellant bears the burden of proving otherwise.
See Scally, id. at 441. "The burden is a heavy one – even a showing that the
evidence preponderates against the agency will not be enough to overcome
it, if there is some reasonable basis in the record for the action taken by the
agency." Id. Appellants do not meet this high burden.
Appellants essentially asked the trial court, and now this Court, to re-
weigh the evidence submitted to the ALJ and to substitute its judgment for
that of the ALJ. Appellants assert that the ALJ's findings of fact are
"completely contradictory" (Apt. Br. 4) because although the ALJ found that
Mr. Weatherall corrected some of the noted violations – including repaying
12
the perpetual care cemetery trust fund – the ALJ also concluded that the
violations were so numerous that Mr. Weatherall showed a "willful disregard
for the law that applies to perpetual care cemeteries." (Apt. Br. 5; 3 RR
436/420/22, #38.) There is no inherent contradiction in the conclusion that
although Appellants corrected some violations, there were so many
violations overall, and so many persistent failures to address fundamental
problems, that the Appellants' actions amount to willful disregard. As
explained by the ALJ:
The violations concerning failure to disclose on the
sale/purchase agreements the accurate amount to be deposited
in the Perpetual Care Trust Fund appear to be low on the
seriousness scale. Failure to make timely deposits in the
Perpetual Care Trust Fund involve a higher seriousness, but the
shortages ultimately were made up. The violations of failure to
accurately plat and file for record an accurate plat and of failures
to keep accurate burial records are particularly serious, because
they are necessary for anyone to locate the graves of those who
were buried. It appears that these violations were a factor in
some of the complaints. The violation of the Commissioner's
Order is a very serious violation. The history of so [many]
violations during a short period of time and of a violation of the
Cease and Desist order weighs heavily in favor of a higher
penalty. Mr. Weatherall's actions to correct many of the violations
and that resulted in the continuing occurrence of violations
demonstrates both good faith and a lack of good faith.
(3 RR 427-428/412-13/14-15.)
After weighing the evidence, the ALJ found that Mr. Weatherall's
actions establish a pattern of willful disregard for the requirements of the law
13
and recommended "that the Commissioner impose an administrative penalty
that is no higher than the low end of the range advocated by the staff." (3
RR 428/413/15; 436/420/2).
The reviewing standard is whether "there is some reasonable basis in
the record" for the ALJ's conclusion. Charter Medical, 665 S.W.2d at 453.
Here, the PFD specifically cites (3 RR 404-409) the administrative record
(3 RR 47/34/16; 173-178/160-165/1-6; 179-192/166-179/7-20; 194-213/181-
200/22-14; 241-244/228-231/69-72; 245/230/73; 56/43/25; 254/241/82; 193-
213/180-200/21-41; 85/72/54) that includes evidence of numerous
violations, including consumer complaints (3 RR 244/231; 269-70/256-57;
277-78/264-65; 291-94/278-81; 311/298).
One woman whose grandfather is buried at St. Johns wrote:
"Disgraceful, disrespectful and disgusting don't come close to describing the
appearance of this final resting place for many people. . . ." The same
woman noted that she took her 87 year old grandmother out to visit the grave
of her husband, and “she was in tears at what she saw and the thought that
one day she will have to be laid to rest there.” (3 RR 244/231).
Another woman could not find her son’s grave two and half months
after his funeral despite repeated visits to the cemetery and requests to Mr.
Weatherall for information. (3 RR 277-278/264-265; 291-295/278-281).
14
Another woman went to put flowers on her mother’s grave and
discovered someone else’s headstone on the spot she had purchased. After
searching the entire cemetery she could not find her mother’s grave, though
she did meet other people looking for graves. When she called the St. Johns
phone number for help, it was disconnected. (3 RR 269-270/256-257).
The record also includes evidence of failures to correct violations
identified in the various Reports of Examination. For example, the June 30,
2011, Report of Examination (3 RR 193/180) notes that Mr. Weatherall was
given 30 days from the date of the June 30, 2010, Report of Examination to
implement corrective actions for the cited violations and provide a written
response to the DOB by September 6, 2010. (3 RR 203/190/7). He failed to
respond by September 6, provided limited responses only after further
inquiries from the DOB, and still failed to correct the platting violation as of
the June 30, 2011, Report of Examination. (3 RR 203/190/7). Similarly, the
February 7, 2012, Limited Report of Examination notes that the "overall
condition of the certificate holder has not improved since the last full-scope
examination and remains critically poor," and “the pattern of refusing to
comply with Departmental requests demonstrates management's
unwillingness to achieve compliance.” (3 RR 219/206/1.) It further notes
that Mr. Weatherall "failed to demonstrate corrective action on eleven of the
15
nineteen violations cited" in the June 30, 2011 Report of Examination.
(3 RR 219/206/1).
These violations and the failure to correct them establish a reasonable
basis in the record for the ALJ's conclusion that Mr. Weatherall's conduct
was willful. Moreover, Appellants do not actually contest these violations in
their brief — they merely suggest that Mr. Weatherall's attempts to address
certain violations should have been given greater weight by the ALJ, and that
because the PFD contains conclusions Appellants deem “contradictory,” it is
“arbitrary and capricious.” (Apt. Br. 5). Accordingly, even if Appellants had
preserved error, the conclusions about which they complain are supported
by substantial evidence.
Furthermore, as noted by the ALJ, the determination of willful disregard
has no practical impact on the amount of the administrative penalty
assessed. (See PFD, 3 RR 428/412/14.) A finding of willful disregard for the
requirements of the law allows the fact finder to recommend that the
Commissioner impose the maximum administrative penalty permitted, or to
cancel or not renew the corporation's certificate of authority. TEX. HEALTH &
SAFETY CODE §§ 711.056(a) and 712.0442. Here, the DOB staff
recommended an administrative penalty in the range of $56,000 to $70,000
for fourteen violations. (3 RR 123/110/92; 427-428/411-412/13-14.) This
16
range is below the maximum penalty authorized by Chapters 711 and 712.
Under sections 711.056 and 712.0441, the Commissioner may assess an
administrative penalty of up to $1,000 per day of violation if the responsible
person (1) does not correct the violation within 30 days of notification or
(2) engages in a pattern of violation. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§ 711.056
and 712.0442. Here, the ALJ concluded (3 RR 427/411/13) that
Mr. Weatherall is responsible for multiple violations that are
set forth in the Conclusions of Law, which count in the
hundreds and which involve multiple days for most
violations. The violations include both those that were not
corrected within 30 days of notice and those that establish
a pattern of violation.
Even if preserved, Appellants’ challenge to the Commissioner’s Final
Order would fail in the face of overwhelming substantial evidence.
ISSUE 3
The assessment of an administrative penalty against
Gerald Weatherall was authorized by law and
supported by substantial evidence.
A. The Commissioner is authorized to assess
penalties against an individual.
Even if they had been preserved, Appellants’ arguments regarding the
“corporate shield” (Apt. Br. 7) are misplaced.
Here, the ALJ concluded that an "administrative penalty in the amount
of up to $70,000 is supported by the evidence under the provisions of Health
17
and Safety Code Sections 711.055, 711.056, 712.0441, and 712.0442."
(3 RR 441/425/27, #23). The ALJ recommended a lower amount, an
administrative penalty of up to $56,000. (3 RR 442/426/28).
The Final Order (3 RR 446-447/429-430) assesses an administrative
penalty in the amount of $56,000 against the corporation and Mr. Weatherall
individually, but not against Beverly Randall-Weatherall: The penalty is
assessed “against respondents Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company d/b/a
American Memorial Park, and Gerald Weatherall, Sr. in his individual
capacity and in his capacity of former President of Antioch St. Johns
Cemetery Company d/b/a Memorial Park."
Texas Health and Safety Code Sections 711.055 and 712.0441 each
allow the Commissioner to impose an administrative penalty on a “person.”
TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§ 711.055(b), 712.0441(a). Texas Government
Code Section 311.005 (Code Construction Act) defines “person” to include
a “corporation … and any other legal entity,” which includes natural persons.
See State v. Malone Svc. Co., 853 S.W.2d 82, 84 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th
Dist.] 1993, writ denied). In Malone Service, the defendants argued that
there could be no individual liability for the company’s president and plant
manager for violations of the Texas Water Code because those individuals
are not permit holders, but merely act as agents for the permit holders.
18
Id. at 84-85. The court rejected this argument, noting that “liability is based
on the agent’s own actions, not his status as agent” in part because “an
environmental tort is more analogous to a situation in which a corporate
officer who participates in or directs the commission of a tort may be held
personally liable.” Id. at 85. Here, Mr. Weatherall’s liability is based on his
own actions, not his status as an agent of St. Johns.
The Commissioner was justified by the record, as well as authorized
by law, to assess an administrative penalty against Gerald Weatherall in his
individual capacity. Conclusion of Law #21 (3 RR 441/425/27) says that:
Gerald Weatherall, Sr., is the person who is responsible,
individually and in his capacity as former president of
Antioch St. James Cemetery d/b/a American Memorial
Park, for the violations of law that are set forth in these
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.
Conclusion of Law #22 (3 RR 441/42527) says that:
The Commissioner of Banking in his discretion has the
authority under Health and Safety Code Sections 712.0441
and 711.055 to assess an administrative penalty against
Antioch St James Cemetery d/b/a American Memorial Park
and Gerald Weatherall, Sr., in his individual capacity and
in his capacity as former president of the cemetery
company, in the amount of $1,000 for each day of violation.
Sections 712.0441(a) and 711.055(b) are identical with respect to the
parts in each that authorize the Commissioner to impose an administrative
penalty on:
19
a person who:
(1) violates this chapter or a final order of the
commissioner . . . ; or
(2) engages in a pattern of violations, as
determined by the commissioner.
TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§ 711.055(b) and 712.0441(a) [Emphasis
added].
While Texas Health and Safety Code Section 711.021 provides that a
cemetery may be operated by a person that is a corporation organized for
cemetery purposes, this does not limit the definition of “person” in other parts
of Chapter 711. Within subchapter D, which includes the enforcement
provisions of Chapter 711, the term “corporation” is not used interchangeably
with the term “person.” For example, Section 711.051 states that “[a]
cemetery corporation that violates this chapter or Chapter 712 forfeits the
corporation’s charter . . . .” In contrast, Section 711.0521 provides that “[a]
person who is an individual, firm, association, corporation, or municipality . . .
commits an offense if the person interferes with a person’s reasonable right
to ingress and egress under Section 711.041.”
Chapter 712 also does not define “person,” but its context makes clear
that “person” is not limited to a corporation. Section 712.0443 allows the
commissioner to “issue an order to cease and desist to a person . . . .” If the
20
legislature had intended to limit the Commissioner’s enforcement authority
to extend only to corporations—and not individuals—it would have said so.
The case3 and statutory provisions4 cited by Appellants regarding
shareholder liability for corporate obligations (Apt. Br. 7) have no bearing on
the Commissioner’s authority to enforce the provisions of Chapters 711 and
712. Whether a shareholder is personally liable for the contractual
obligations of a corporation is a different question from whether the
Commissioner can assess an administrative penalty against an individual
operating a cemetery who, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, is found
to have violated the provisions of Chapters 711 and 712. The Commissioner
found that Mr. Weatherall was president of the cemetery company and
exercised an active role as the person and officer who was responsible for
the operations of the cemetery and the cemetery company.
(3 RR 431/415/17, #15). Even if Appellants had preserved the “corporate
shield” argument by mentioning it in their Motion for Rehearing—which they
did not—the Commissioner had statutory authority, as well as ample
evidence regarding the poor operation of the St. Johns cemetery by Mr.
3 Castleberry v. Branscum, 721 S.W.2d 270 (Tex. 1986).
4 Sections 21.223, 21.2224, and 21.225 of the Texas Business Organizations Code.
21
Weatherall, to assess the administrative penalty against Mr. Weatherall in
his individual capacity.
B. St. Johns operated without a corporate
charter.
Under Appellants’ theory, an individual operating a perpetual care
cemetery could evade the Commissioner’s enforcement powers simply by
failing to operate as a corporation. St. Johns temporarily forfeited its
corporate charter in 2011 and later terminated its corporate charter with the
Secretary of State in May 2012. Even so, the cemetery continued to operate
under Mr. Weatherall’s personal direction until at least June 14, 2012. 5
(3 RR 141/128/110; 311-313/298-300.) Actions taken after St. Johns
terminated its corporate charter would not be protected by any “corporate
shield” because no corporation existed.
The record shows that St. Johns operated without a corporate charter
between January 28, 2011 and November 7, 2011. (See 3 RR 197/184/1;
205/192/9; 219/206/1). During this period, the DOB issued its Report of
Examination as of June 30, 2011, which detailed nineteen violations. (3 RR
197-207/184-94/1-11). Also during this period, the DOB received complaints
5 St. Johns, the corporation, went into Chapter 7 bankruptcy. During the bankruptcy
proceedings, it became clear that the corporation itself had no assets – did not own the
cemetery – because the cemetery land was jointly owned by Weatherall LLC and Ms.
Randall-Weatherall. (3 RR 145-146/132-133).
22
about the cemetery, including the following plea from the granddaughter of
a man buried at St. Johns, dated June 15, 2011:
Our plea is that someone will take action and make “the
owners” of this cemetery take some sort of responsibility
for their actions in the appearance/condition of this area.
You can’t just smooth out the dirt piles and freshen things
up. This is way bigger than that. What about the grave
marker that is thrown up against the tree, hidden in all the
tall grass, or randomly sitting in the middle of the cemetery?
Where do those go? Who do they belong to? You can’t just
stick it back and say, “Oh I think that one goes here?” The
proper action MUST be taken!
(3 RR 244/231). Appellants’ theory that Mr. Weatherall may not be held
individually liable for these violations is contrary to Chapters 711 and 712 of
the Health and Safety Code. Furthermore, they have waived the right to
assert the argument.
PRAYER
Appellee the Texas Department of Banking Commissioner asks this
Court to affirm the judgment of the trial court.
23
Respectfully submitted,
KEN PAXTON
Attorney General of Texas
CHARLES E. ROY
First Assistant Attorney General
JAMES E. DAVIS
Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation
LESLI G. GINN
Division Chief
Financial Litigation and Charitable Trusts Division
/s/ Ann Hartley
ANN HARTLEY
Assistant Attorney General
State Bar No. 09157700
Financial Litigation and Charitable Trusts Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Telephone: (512) 936-1313
Telecopier: (512) 477-2348
ann.hartley@texasattorneygeneral.gov
24
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
In compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(2), this
brief contains 4,972 words, excluding the portions of the brief exempted by
Rule 9.4(i)(1).
/s/ Ann Hartley
ANN HARTLEY
Assistant Attorney General
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on the 23rd day of November, 2015 a true copy of this
Appellee’s Brief was sent by email to Appellants’ counsel, Mr. Kevin S. Wiley,
Jr., at kevinwiley@lkswjr.com.
/s/ Ann Hartley
ANN HARTLEY
Assistant Attorney General
25
APPENDIX
Texas Department of Banking (DOB) Commissioner’s
PROPOSAL FOR DECISION FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS ......................................... 1
DOB Commissioner’s FINAL ORDER No. 2013-028 ...................................... 2
Motion for Re-Hearing ................................................................................ 3
Final Order – Travis County District Court .................................................. 4
26
Appendix 1
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions
BANKING DEPT
399
Docket No. BE-13-11-326
IN THE MATTER OF ANTIOCH § BEFORE THE BANKING
ST. JAMES CEMETERY COMPANY §
d/b/a AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK, §
GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, (Certificate §
of Authority No. 74, expired); §
§
GERALD WEATHERALL, ST. AS ITS § COMMISSIONER OF TEXAS
PRESIDENT AND IN HIS INDIVIDUAL §
CAPACITY; AND, §
§
BEVERLYRANDALL-WEATBERALL §
AS ITS VICE-PRESIDENT § AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS
PROPOSAL FOR DECISION
FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS
This Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions is issued following consideration of
the record consisting of testimony, documentary evidence, and argument of.the parties, which
were received at a contested case hearing on June 10, 2013, and Exceptions to the Proposal
·for Decision that were filed on October 7, 2013.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
This is an enforcement action involving a perpetual care cemetery, which staff of the
Department of Banking initiated against the respondents: Antioch St. James Cemetery
Company d/b/a American Memorial Park, Grand Prairie, Texas; Gerald Weatherall, Sr., ~ its
J>resident and individually; and, Beverly Randall-Weatherall as its Vice-President Staff
alleges that the respondents violated provisions of the Texas Health .and Safety Code,
Chapters 711 and 712, and Texas Finance Commission Rules, 7 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter
26; and, of Commissioner Order 2012-011, signed on May 16, 2012. Staff seeks
administrative penalties against the company, Mr. Weatherall in his capacity as president and
r
BANKING D:EPT ~
400
"·
~ his individual capacity, and against Ms. Randall-Weatherall in her capacity as vice-president
of the company. Antioch St. James Cemetery C~mpany d/b/a American Memorial Park will
be referred to as the "Cemetery Company." References to the transcript of the contested case
hearing will be "[IR (page number)]."
CHARGES OF VIOLATIONS
The department staff charged the respondents with up to fifteen types of violations
involving ten separate Health .and Safety Code provisions and five Finance Commission
Rules, with failure to comply with and violations of an Emergency Order To Cease and Desist
that is dated May 16, 2012, and with operating a perpetual care cemetery without a certificate
of authority. Department staff argu~ that the respondents' actions established a pattern of
wilful disregard for the requirements of law concerning operation of the Cemetery Company,
within the meaning of Health Code §§711.056 and 712.0442, and that the Commissioner
should impose administrative penalties and costs of this proceeding against all the
respondents, jointly.and severally. The specific violations with corresponding provisions of
the Health and Safety Code, the Finance Commission Rules, and the Cease and Desist Order,
are set forth in the Notice of Hearing that was signed on May 2, 2013.
DISCUSSION
APPEARANCES
Depart:J;nent staff, represented by Deborah H. Loomis, Assistant General Counsel,
presented evidence of violations with testimony from Mark E. LaPlante and Russell Reese and
with documents, including Reports of Examination from 2010, 2011, and 1012; spreadsheets
showing information from operatiop.s of the cemetery; records concerning four complaints
r
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company. et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page2
BANKING DEPT
401
from 2011 and 2012; and, other correspondence. Ultimately, the staff recommended the
imposition of administrative penalties within a range between $56,000 and $70,000 for
fourteen violations. [TR 91-92].
Mr. Gerald D. Weatherall, Sr., appeared for the Cemetery Company, as fonner
president of the company, and for himself individually. Mr. Weatherall also owns and
operates the Eternal Rest Funeral H.ome that is located in Plano, Texas. [TR 108; DOB
Exhibit 1, p. 47]. Ms. Weatherall appeared as former vice-president of the Cemetery
Company. Mr. Weatherall presented evidence in the form of testimony and documeµts. He
declined to offer an original plat of the cemetery, which included what appeared to be a newer
depiction of Section J that was taped over the .original version on that plat. In general, Mr.
Weatherall testified about his efforts to address the violations after receiving notifications
from the Department. He testified that they hired a man to run the cemetery and con~t
.workers and that the ~iiJy time.he got involved was at the inspections. [TR 100, 101). ·Mr.
Weatherall testified :that Ms. Randall-Weatherall did.not participate in any of the operations of
the Cemetery Company and shoUid not be held responsible for ~Y of the violations. Mr.
Weatherall felt that he tried to do everything that the Department asked them to do. He
testified that onee he fotind out they were not equipped to handle a cemetery, they put it into
' -·· .
Chapter 7 bankrllptcy, terminated the company's eo,.Porate charter, and lost title to the
cemetery property through foreclosure.
The Administrative Law Judge concludes that Mr. Weatherall is responsibJe for
violations of the law and recommends assessment of an administrative penalty against him; as
president of the cemetery company and individually, and against the cemetery company, as set
forth in the recommendation that follows.
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company. et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page3
BANK I NG D'EPT ~
402
APPLICABLE LAW
Pertinent law for the regulation of perpetual care cemeteries is found in the Heal~ and
Safety Code, Chapters 711 and 712, and Finance Commission Rules: Title 7, Part 2, Chapter
26 of the Texas Administrative Code. The appiicable provisions are set out in detail in the
Notice of Hearing, appear in the Emergency Cease and Desist Order, and will be set forth in
the Conclusions of Law concerning each asserted violation.
DISCUSSION OF THE EVIDENCE
The Ce~etery. the Cemeterv Company and the Weatheralls' Ownership
This matter involyes a cemetery that at least a part of which, named Antioch Cemetery,
was dedicated in 1896. [Weatherall Exhibit 3]. The property is located between Avenue D
and Hardy Road in Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas. The record shows that the cemetery
property was -not owned by the Cemetery Company.
The Cemetery Company was organized as a corporation beginning in 1952. [TR 111].
I .
Mr. Weatherall was president and a director of the corporation and Ms. Randall-Weatherall
was vice-president and a director of the corporation. The Secretary of State forfeited the
corporate charter in early 2011 for failure to pay franchise taxes and reinstated the charter by
November, 2011, after payment was made. At some time in 2012, the respondents tenninated
or dissolved the corporation through the Secretary of S~te, after the bankruptcy filing and
forfeiture ofthe cemetery property. [TR 110].
On June 3, 2009, Mr. Gerald Weatherall, Sr., and Ms. Beverly Ann Randall-
_Weatherall purchased the cemetery property and the cemeteiy company from Mr. Robert
Wright and Mr. Ray Windham. [TR 11 ]. The records for the purchase and cfiange of
r· DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision FolJowing Exceptions Page4
BANKING DEPT
403
ownership of the cemetery company and Certificate of Authority No. 74, including the
documentation that the respondents filed with the Department, showed 50% ownership by
Weatherall Family FWleral Service, LLC, and 50% ownership by Beverly-Randall Weatherall.
At the time of the 2011 examination, Mr. Weatherall reported that he owned 50% of the
cemetery property and company, but documentation of that was not provided. [TR 32]. The
infonnation required to complete a change of ownership was submitted to the Department,
which recorded the change of ownership and of Certificate of Authority No. 74 on or about
December 21, 2009. [Id.]. At some time after the February 7, 2012, Report of Examination,
the Cemetery Company filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 and the bankruptcy proceedings
ended with the Cemetery Company being converted b ack to the respondents, because there
were no assets to. sell. Also after February 7, 2012, the respondents transferred title to the
property on which the cemetery is located by deed in lieu of foreclosure to Avery Weatherall,
Gerald Weatherall, Sr. 's son. Avery Weatherall lent the money for the Weatheralls' purchase
of the property in 20()9.
Overview of the Asserted Violations
The focus of this proceeding was directed to the general condition of the cemetery
grounds, the record.-keeping; and the maintenance o.f the Perpetual Care Trust Fund ("PC1F")
by the cemetery company, and the operations within two areas of the northeast portion of the
cemetery. [See generally, DOB Exhibits 2 and 3]. The two areas we!e identified as "Section
r and ~'New Section J" and in this proposal for decision will be referred to in combination as
"Section J." [Weatherall Exhibit 3 and DOB Exhibit 4]. The records, although too poorly
kept to enable an exact count, show that few burials took place in Section J before 2009, when
r DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et aJ.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page5
BANK I NG o·EPT
404
the respondents took over operation. The r~cords show a total of approximately 24 burials in
that section between 1984 and 2008, with no burials recorded during I0 of those 25 years.
[DOB Exhibit 3]. Approximately 132 burials were done from 2009 through 2012, with 106
of those done in 2010 and 2011. [Id.]. Mr Weatherall testified that 80-83% of the graves were
sold directly to his funeral home [TR 129] and that many of the graves were donated for
hardship cases.
Reports of Examination from the Staff and Responses from the Cemetery Company
From the outset of the respondents, ownership, Department staff reviewed the
respondents' operations of the cemetery. Staffperfonned three audits or examinations of the
operations of the Cemetery Company and· prepared a Report of Examination ("ROE,') for
each of the audits/ex8minations. As a result of the examinations and the inadequacy of the
respondents' attempts of compliance, the Commissioner of Banking issued a Cease and Desist
Order in 2012, and the staff initiated this enforcement proceeding.
First Audit: Period Ended June 30. 2010
The first audit of the Cemetery Company's operations covered the period to June 30,
2010. [DOB Exhibit 1, pp. 7-20J In general, the ROE noted that cemetery operations were
adequate, the property and grounds were adequately maintained, and no complaints were on
file. The ROE documented.what was stated to have been 11 violations of law [TR 16),
involving at least 67 instances of violation. [DQB Exhibit 1, pp. 7-20]. The ROE from this
audit was sent to the respondents by letter dated August 2, 2010, and directed correction by no
later than September 6, 2010. [DOB Exhibit 1, pp. 8-9]. The evidence does not present an
accurate picture of the respondent's response to this ROE. (TR 21].
r DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetezy Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page6
BANKING DEPT
405
"·
~ Second Audit: June 20. 2010 to June 30 2011
The results of the second audit, which covered the period ofJune 20, 2010 to June 30,
2011, are contained in the ROE that was sent to the respondents by letter dated October 19,
2011. [DOB Exhibit 1, pp. 22-41]. This ROE noted that the overall condition of the operation
of the Cemetery Company had deteriorated. The corporate charter had been forfeited as of
January 28, 2011, for failure to pay franchise taxes. The grounds were in poor condition and
a complaint was on file. In the· complaint, a family was concerned about the condition of the
grandfather's grave. [TR 22; DOB Exhibit 1, pp. 69-72]. Mr. LePlante inspected the cemet~ry
on August 11, 2011, in response to the complaint and concluded, in general, that the
complaint w~ well founded. [DOB Exhibit 1, p. 73]. Mr. LePlante noted that poor condition
of the grounds, mostly in Section J, which included sunken-in graves, what appeared to have
been part of a casket protruding from the ground, graves laid out in different directions, poor
marking of graves without headstones, very old headstones having been broken, with some
appearing to have b~en pushed off of graves and partially covered by dirt in the excess dirt
..
pile in the far northeast co~er of the cemetery. [TR 25]. Lot pins that locate sections of the
cemetery were lying on the ·ground in various places. Mr. .Weatherall responded to the
complaint and parts ofMc. LePlante's report of his August 11 site visit by letter dated
September 6, 2011. Mr. Weatherall's response included his understanding that the headstones
found in the dirt pile were in a shed that was there when they purchased the property, which
was tom down to make room for more burial plots. [DOB E]Chibit 1, p. 82].
The 2011 ROE listed 19 violations oflaw, including 8 repeat violations (from the
audit in 2010), which involved more than 350 instances of violations. (DOB Exhibit I, pp. 21-
"'
\
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetmy Company. et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page7
BANK I NG D'EPT
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41; DOB Exhibit 2]. There was a shortage of $2,770.19 in the PCTF, which the respondents
made up before the end ofNovember, 2011. [TR 32; DOB Exhibit 1, p. 58]. The re-plat of
Section J was deficient in several respects. [TR 34-44; DOB Exhibit 4 (Re-Plat of Section J,
filed for record on 09/01/11); DOB Exhibit 5 (Plat of"Old Cemetery Section," showing
county record numbers)]. DOB Exhibit 5 is understood to have been the plat of Section J as it
was set out at the time when ownership of the cemetery changed from Mr. Wright to the
respondents. [TR 43]. Conveyance documents had not been issued for 6 of the 50·instances
that the 2010 ROE documented had not been issued as of June 30, 2010. ffR 54]. The ROE
includes a report of each category of violation with a description of supporting evidence.
The June 30, 20 I I, ROE was sent to Mr. Weatherall by letter dated October 19, 2011,
with instructiit 1, p. 60]." Mr. Weatherall-testified that corrective action had been taken. [TR 58-60).
The respondents s~nt a copy, of the Minutes of November 11, 2011, board meeting at which
discussions of the vi.olations and·corrective actions were recorded. [DOB Exhibit 1, pp. 58-
60]. The minutes summarized· a discussion that Mr. Weatherall was not aware that a deposit
to the PCTF was due for donated graves, that he misunderstood the amount for deposit could
include $1.75 per square foot as an-alternative to 15% of the total sales price~ and that 85% of
the graves were donated. The minutes noted a plan for·making and monitoring deposits and
for auditing.all books and deposits monthly. The minutes stated ~at all shortages have been
corrected, correction for the contract for sale has been corrected, the intennent/disintennent
register has been corrected, all deeds have been corrected and issued to buyers, documentation
of proof of ownership of the cemetecy was provided, ownership ofthe "Museum'' (an unused
r DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Pages
BANKING DEPT
407
mausoleum, see, DOB Exhibit l, p. 64) was provided, correction regarding corporate status
was provided, and that response to the consumer complaint was timely done. Also noted is an
intention by the board to ask for an extension of time to re-plat the property. The minutes
made references to tabs of supporting documents for most items, but the tabs were not
included in the exhibit. Per a December 20, 2011, letter, the staff concluded that most of the
stated corrections were not adequate, listed the deficiencies, and referenced an upcoming
limited scope examination. [DOB Exhibit 1, pp. 61-66]. Per a January 24, 2011, letter, the
staff noted receipt of the required documentation regarding the platting issue and proof of
deposit to the ~CTF. [DOB Exhibit 1, p. 67]. Department staff instructed Mr. Weatherall to
provide by January 14, 2012, documentation of all actions taken to address the uncorrected
violations stated in the December 20 letter. [TR 61-66). Mr. Weatherall sent notice on
January 24, 2012, which stated they had stopped selling graves in and closed Section J.
Limited Scope Examination: Period Ending February 7. 2012
As a result o( the findings of a unifonn risk rating of 5 in the previous examination, a
limited scope examination was conducted sooner than according to the usual schedule. [TR
56]. The .limited scope examination was conducted to determine the extent that management
corrected the 19 categories ofyiolations that were documented in the June 30, 2011, ROE and
to review: operations between Jl:lly 1, 2011, and the date· of the exam. Mr. LePlante was on-
site in November, 2011, determined the extent that the respondents ~rrected violations from
the 06/30/11 ROE, reviewed all post-June 30, 2011, purchase and conveyance documents, and
compared burial cards and interment recor4ds for all of the recorded burials in Section J. The
ROE from the limited scope examination documents the findings of the Department staff. [1R
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company. et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page9
... ··
BANK I NG D'EPT
408
42-57]. Mr. LePlante detennined that, as of the November 23, 2011 deadline, corrective
action had not been taken for 11ofthe19 categories of violations from the 06/30/11 ROE.
[DOB Exhibit I, p. 47]. The 02/07/12 ROE also documents 16 categories of new violations,
including 11 repeat violations, which involved many instances of violation. [DOB Exhibit 1,
pp. 42·57; See also, TR 57]. In general, the overall condition of the cemetery had not
improved and was described to be critically poor. [DOB Exhibit 1, p. 47]. The conditioµ in
Section J was slightly improved. [Id., at p. 49]. More specifically, the ROE includes a report
of each category of violation with a description of supporting evidence. From an exit meeting
by telephone on February 16, 2012, the ROE notes that Mr. Weatherall agreed with the
findings and planned to implement corrective ac~ons. [DOB Exhibit I, p. 56). The staff
concluded that it wil_l refer the matter to the legal division for action. [DOB Exhibit 1, p. 56].
Certificate of Authority No. 74
The Cemetery Company operated under authority of Certificate of Authority No. 74
from the time of ch~ge of ownership in 2009. The department did not renew the certificate
as of the March 1, 2012 renewal date. [DOB Exhibit 1, p. 3r ·Mr. Weatherall testified that
they did not receive notice that the application for renewal of the certificate had been denied.
[TR 108; WeatherallExhibit 1].
Cease and Desist Order
On May 16, 2012, the Commissioner signed Order No. 2012-011, an Emergency
Order To Cease And Desist From Operating A Perpetual 9are Cemetery Without A Valid
Certificate Of Authority And From Violating Texas Health And Safety Code, effective the
date of signing. The order included Findings of Fact and Conclusions that. the respondents
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 10
BANKING DEPT
409
violated many provisions of the Health and Safety Code and Finance Commission Rules.
[DOB Exhibit 1, pp. 1-6]. The Commissioner ordered the respondents to cease and desist (1)
from the sale of any cemetery spaces or interment rights in the cemetery until the department
confinned that all violations were corrected, and (2) from all cemetery operations except for
burials for persons who own plots as of the date of the order, and for maintenance of the
property. [Id.]. The commissioner also ordered the respondents to ensure that each burial
allowed under the order occurs in a plot that is exclusively reserved for the use of the current
owner and that all required documentation is properly completed and maintained and sent to
the department within tWo business days of burial. [Id].
BANKING COMMISSIONER'S ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY
Health and Safety Code Sec. 711.055
(b) After notice and opportunity for hearing, the commissioner may impose an
administrative penalty on a person who:
{l) violates this chapter or a final order of the commissioner or rule of the Finance
Commission of Texas and does not correct the violation ·before the 3 lst day after the
date the person receives written notice of the violation from the Tex~ Department of
Banking; or, · '
(2) engages in a pattern of violations, as detennined by. the commissioner.
(c) The amount of the penalty for each violation.may not exceed $1,000 for each day the
violation occurs.
(d) In detennining the amount of the pena1ty, the commissioner shall consider the
seriousness of the violation, the person's history of violations, and the person's good faith in
attempting to comply with this chapter. The commissioner may collect the penalty in the same
manner that a money judgment is enforced in district c~urt.
Health and Safety Code Sec. 711.056
(a) If after a hearing conducted as provided by Chapter 200 I, Government Code, the trier of
fact finds that a violation of this chapter or a rule of the Finance Commission of Texas
establishes a pattern of wilful· disregard for the requirements of this chapter of rules of the
finance commission, the trier of fact shall recommend to the commissioner that the maximum
administrative penalty permitted under Section 711.055 be imposed on the person committing
the violation or that the commi~ioner cancel or not renew the person's permit under Chapter
154, Finance Code, if the person holds such a pennit.
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Foil owing Exceptions Page 11
BANK I NG D'EPT
(b) For the purposes of this section,' violations corrected as provided by Section 711.055 may
be included in determining whether a pattern of wilful disregard for the requirements of this
chapter or rules of the finance commission exists.
A pennit under Chapter 154 of the Finance Code is not involved in this case.
Health and Safety Code 712.0441
(a) After notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission may impose an
administrative penalty on a person who:
(1) violates this chapter or a final order of the commissioner or rule of the Finance
Commission of Texas and does ~ot correct the violation before the 31st day after the date the
person receives written notice of the violation from the banking department;
or,
(2) engages in a pattern of violations, as determined by the commissioner.
(b) The amount of penalty for each violation may not exceed $1,000 for each day the
violation occurs.
(c) In detennining the amount of the penalty, the commissioner shall consider the
seriousness of the violation, the person's history of violations, and the person's good faith in
attempting to comply with this chapter.
Health and Safezy Code Sec. 712.0442
. (a) If, after a hearing conducted as provi<;led by Chapter 2001, Government Code, the trier of
fact finds that a violation of this chapter or a rule of the Finance Commission of Texas
establishes a pattern of wilful disregard for the requirements of this chapter rules of the
finance commission, the trier of fact may recommend to the commissioner that the maximum
administrative penalty pennitted under Section 712.0441 be imposed on the person
committing the violation or that the commissioner cancel or not renew the corporation's
certificate of authority under this chapter if the person holds su~b a c~rtificate.
(b) For the purposes of this section, violations corrected as provided by Section 712.0441
may be included in determining whether a pattern of wilful disregard for the requirements of
of
this chapter or rules the finance commission exists.
ANALYSIS BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
The evidence proves the occurrence of violations of the laws ·regulating the operation
of a perpetual care cemetery as charg~d by the staff for each violatio1:1, with one ex_ception.
The administrative law judge concludes that the charge of'{iolation of Health and Safety Code
§712.0037, which sets forth the conditions for annual rene~al of a certificate of authority,
.~·
does not meet the criteria for imposition of an administrative penalty after a decision not to
DOB Docket ·13-11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 12
BANKING DEPT
411
~
~
renew the certificate of authority. Under Section 712.0037(a), the commissioner reviews the
holder's application for renewal and determines whether the holder meets the qualifications
and requirements for holding a certificate. The charged violation involves one of those
requirements. The commissioner may decide not to renew the certificate of authority, which
is what happened in this case. The decision not to renew was the consequence for the
respondents' failing to meet the requirements of Section 712.0037(a). The administrative law
judge concludes that failure to meet the requirements of Section 712.0037(a) is not a violation
that is subject to assessment of an administrative penalty after the decision not to renew the
respondents' certificate of authority. Operation of a perpetual care cemetery without a
certificate of authority is a violation, of course, and that violation is included in the
· Conclusions of Law. The remaining issues involve the assessment and amount of an
administrative penalty.
The Commissioner Has Discretion To Determine the Amount of Penalty
Assessment of an administrative penalty is discretionary. Under Health and Safety
Code §§711.056 and 712.0441, the Commissioner may assess an administrative penalty of up
to $1,000 per day of violation if the responsible person (1) does not correct the violation
within 30 days of notification or (2) engages in a pattern of violation. In this case, Mr.
Weatherall is responsible for multiple violations that are set forth in the Conclusions of Law,
which count in the hundreds and which involve multiple days for most violations. The
violations include both those that were not corrected within-30 days of notice and those that
establish a pattern of violation. Accordingly, the Commissioner is authorized by Chapters 711
and 712 to assess administrative penalties in an amount greatly exceeding the staffs
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 13
BANK I NG o·EPT
recommended range of $56,000 to $70,000 for fourteen violations.
If the trier of fact finds that violations establish a pattern of wilful disregard for the
requirements oflaw, then the trier of fact may under §712.0442(a) and shall under
§711.056(a) recommend that the Commissioner impose the maximum administrative penalty
pennitted or, under Section 712.0442, cancel or not renew the corporation's certificate of
authority under this chapter if the person holds such a certificate. The evidence presented at
the hearing proved a pattern of wilful disregard concerning the violations. It appears that the
main reasons for the continuing violations were ignorance of the law at first, but later w~
incompetence and an indifference concerning management of the cemetery and the cemetery
company. Nevertheless, the evidence proves the factors that support making a finding of
wilful disregard. A detennination of the issue of wilful disregard would not have a practical
impact in this case, however, because the staff has recommended a lesser monetary penalty
than what would be the maximum.
The seriousness of the violation, the person's history of violations, and the person's
good faith in attempting to comply with the requirements of law are the factors prescribed by
§§711.055 and 712.0442 to consider for deciding how much administrative penalty to a5sess.
In this case, the many types of violations cover a range of seriousness. The violations
concerning failure to disclose on the sale/purchase agreements the accurate amount to be
deposited in the Perpetual Care Trust Fund appear to be low on the seriousness scale. Failure
to make timely deposits in the Perpetual Care Trust Fund iI~volve a higher seriousness, but the
shortages ultimately were made up. The violations of failure to accurately plat and file for
record an accurate plat and of failures to keep accurate b.urial records are particularly serious,
DOB Docket 13·11·326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision FoJlowing Exceptions Page 14
BANKING DEPT
413
"
~
because they are necessary for anyone to locate the graves of those who were buried. It
appears that these violations were a factor in some of the complaints. The violation of the
Commissioner,s Order is a very serious violation. The history of so may violations during a
short period of time and of a violation of the Cease and Desist order weighs heavily in favor
of a higher penalty. Mr. Weatherall's actions to correct many of the violations and that
resulted in the continuing occurrence of violations demonstrates both good faith and a lack of
good faith. In addition, it appears that the non-renewal of the certificate of authority and the
facts that the respondents have lost ownership of the cemetery property, have tenninated the
eorporation, and are out of the cemetery business, :would weigh substantially against a higher
amount of penalty. ··
: Ultimately, the evidence supports an administrative penalty in the range that the staff
advocated. The evidence shows a very large number of days of violation, with some of the
violations being very serious. The evidence also could support a lesser penalty than the
minimum of the range that the staff seeks, because of the factors discussed above and because
the respondents· appear to·have acted more in incompetence than in bad faith. Based on the
above analysis, the administrative law judge recommends that the Commissioner impose an
administrative penalty that is no higher than the low end of the range advocated by the staff.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Based on the evidence of record and applicable law, the Adm.inistrative Law Judge
makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law.
I. Notice of hearing was timely given to all respondents.
2. Mr. Gerald Weatherall, Sr., appeared at the hearing individually and as former
DOB Docket 13-1 1-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 15
BANKING DEPT
4i4
President of Antioch St. Johns Cemetery d/b/a American Memorial Park.
3. Ms. Beverly Randall-Weatherall appeared at the he~ng as former Vice-
President of Antioch St. Johns Cemetery d/b/a American Memorial Park.
4. Antioch St Johns Cemetery d/b/a American Memorial Park was a perpetual
care cemetery that is located on 3.2 acres of land in Grand Prairie, Texas.
5. Antioch St Johns Cemetery d/b/a American Memorial Park was operated as a
corporation beginning iii 1958, and is referred to herein as the "cemetery
company.''
6. Gerald Weatherall, Sr., and Beverly Randall-Weatherall purchased and began
operating the cemetery property and the cemetery company in June, 2009.
7. The Secretary of State forfeited the cemetery company's corporate charter as of
January, 201 r, for failure to pay franchise taxes and reinstated the charter as of
November 7, 2011.
8. Antioch St Johns Cemetery d/b/a American Memorial Park operated as a
perpetual care cemetery under Certificate of Authority No. 74.
9. When the Department decided not to renew Certificate of Authority No. 74, it
expired as of the March 1, 2012, renewal date.
10. The Commissioner ofBankiQg signed Order No. 2012-011, an Emergen~y
Order to Ceas~ and Desist against the cemetery comp~y, Mr. Weatherall, and
Ms. Randall-Weatherall, on May 16, 2012 ..
11. The respondents did not request a hearing concerning Order No. 2012-011 or
othen\rise chaUenge it.
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company. et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 16
BANKING DEPT
415
·12. The cemetery company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after May 16, 2012, but
the estate was converted back to the owners because there were no assets to sell
in bankruptcy.
13. Mr. Weatherall and Ms. Randall-Weatherall conveyed the cemetery property by
deed in lieu of foreclosure to Avery Weatherall after May 16, 2012.
14. The respondents·terminated the cemetery company's corporate charter with the
Secretary of State after May 16, 2012.
15. Gerald Weatherall, Sr., was president ofthe cemetery company and exercised
an active role as the person and officer who was responsible for the operations
of the cemetery and the cemetery company.
16. Beverly Randall-Weatherall was vice-president of the cemetery company but
('" did not exercise an active role in or responsibility for the operations of the
cemetery or the cemetery company.
17. The Findings of Fact that are set forth in Order No. 2012-011 support
conclusions that the cemetery company and Gerald Weathenlll, Sr., individually
and as president of the cemetery company, violated provisions of the Health
and Safety Code Chapters 711and712 and of the Finance Commission Rules
that are set forth therein and did not correct the violations within 30 days after
receiving notice of them.
18. Staff of the Department's Special Audits Division conducted an examination of
the cemetery property and cemetery company as of the close of business on
June 30, 2010. The Report of Examination identified violations of applicable
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 17
BANKING DEPT .
416
law and instructed the respondents to correct the violations no later than
September 6, 2010. Staff sent the Report of Examination to the respondents on
August 2, 2010.
19. Staff of the Department's Special Audits Division conducted an examination of
the. cemetery property and cemetery company as of the close of business on
June 30, 2011. The Report of Examination identified violations of applicable
law and instructed the respondents to correct the violations no later than
November 23, 2011. Staff sent the Report of Examination to the respondents
on October 19, 2011. The responsible persons did n<;>t timely correct all of the
violations.
20. Staff of the Department's Special Audits Division conducted a limited scope
('' exaajnation of the cemetery property and cemetery company as of the close of
business on February 7, 2012, in order to determin('. the extent to which the
respo~dents had corrected preyiously noted violations. The Report of Limited
Scope Examination identified the extent to which previously noted violations
had been corrected and noted additional violations of applicable law and
instructed the respondents to notify the department of their actions correcting ·
the violatjons .no later ~an July 4, 2012. ·Staff sent the Report of Limited Scope
Examination to the respondents on April 30, 2012. The responsible persons did
not timely correct all of the violations.
21. The condition of the cemetery property deteriorated after the respondents began
operation of the cemetery and cemetery company. In general, the maintenance
DOB Docket 13-1 J-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 18
BANKING DEPT
417
of the cemetery was very poor, including the following: an entrance did not
have an adequate sign; sections within the cemetery were not adequately
marked; grav~s had collapsed, creating deep sink holes, while there were
mounds. of dirt in other areas; and, graves had been dug in both directions in
some cases.
22. The respondents corrected some of the individual violations that were set forth
in the reports of examination, but did not correct all the violations in each type
of violation within the stated deadlines.
23. Burial cards and the interment register show at least 77 instances of violation of
record keeping requirements concerning sales of cemetery plots and burials,
which were not corrected within 30 days·after notice of the facts of violation
was given to the respt>ndents.
24. The cemetery. company records were in such poor shape that it is difficult and
probably impossible to detennine from the records whose remains were buried
·in which location. Examples of the deficiencies in the records are shown on
Deparbnent of Banking Exhibit No. 3 and include:
a 21 burials shown on the burial cards were not recorded on the inteJIDent
register;
b. the intennent register reflects tw~ burials in the same space on 8
occasions;
c. the interment register reflects a burial in a plot on 6 occasions when the
burial card for the plot does not show a burial;
d. on 4 occasions, the burial card shows the burial of a person in a plot and
the intennent register shows the burial of another person in that plot;
DOB Docket 13~11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 19
BANKING DEPT ·
418
e. on 4 occasions, the burial cards and the interment register show
different burial plots for the same person; and,
f. on 4 occasions, the burial cards and the intennent register show
different persons were buried in the same burial plot.
25. The cemetery company on many occasions did not accurately identify on the
interment records of the cemetery the plot in which the remains of an individual
.are interred.
26. The cemetery company did not record the final disposition of purchase
agreements on the historical ~ontract register on many occasions and did not
correct the deficiencies within 30 days after notice of the facts of violation was
given to the respondents.
27. The cemetery co~pany did not maintain a?curate separate property files in the
(' names of the purchasers of burial plots on many occasions and did not correct
the deficiencies within 30 days after notice of the facts of violation was given to
the re.spondents.
28. The cemetery company repeatedly did not maintain a current financial
statement that substantiated the use of income from the Perpetual Care Trust
Fund
29. The cemetery ~ompany consistently did not accurately calculate the amount of
money to be deposited in the Perpetual Care Trust F~d.
30. The cemetery company did not for almost ev.ery month of its operation deposit
within 20 days after the end of the month in which purchase agreements were
paid in full any amount of money in the Perpetual Care Trust Fund. The
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company> et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page20
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419
cemetery company did deposit the required amounts after department staff
notified the respondents of the deficiencies.
31. The cemetery company did not disclose on agreements to purchase a cemetery
plot the correct amount of money to be deposited in the Perpetual Care trust
Fund on many occasjons and did not correct the deficiencies within 30 days
after notice of the facts· of violation was given to the respondents.
32. The cemetery company did not maintain accurate monthly recapitulations of the
interment rights or conveyance of burial plot rights on many occasions and did
not correct the deficiencies within 30 days after notice of the facts of violation
was given to the respondents.
33. The cemetery company did not prepare and file with the county clerk an
"
~· . accurate map or plat of Section J that showed the cemetery plots and their
orientation to the remainder of the cemetery property, including the boundaries
of th~ cemetery property.
34. The cemetery company sold cemetery plots on many occasions without having
filed an adequate accurate map or plat of Section J with the county clerk and
has not filed such a plat
35. The cemetery company did not issue to the appropriate person and file in its
office the conveyance document after cemetery plots were paid in full on many
occasions and often did not correct those deficiencies within 30 days after
notice of the facts of violation was given to the respondents.
36. The cemetery company operated and conducted cemetery operations after
,,,.._, March 1> 2012.
\
DOB Docket JJ. J 1-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 21
BANKING DEPT .
420
lf1""
' 37. The cemetery company did not send notice of the June 14, 2012, burial of Lena
Sneed-Holleman to the department within two days as required by Order No.
2012-011.
38. Although Mr. Weatherall attempted to address violations that were brought to
his attention, the failure to correct all of the violations and the continual
frequent repetition of the several types of violation throughout the time ·he was
responsible for the operations of the cemetery company establishes a pattern of
wilful disregard for the requirements of the law that applies to perpetual care
cemeteries.
39. The continual occurrences of violations and Mr. Weatherall's actions
concerning the operations of the. cemetery and the.cemetery company were
initially more the result of ignorance of the legal requirements and later, o~
combinations of an inability to accomplish and inattention to the
acco~plishment of the legal requirements. Mr. Weatherall eventually made up
the shortages in the Perpetual Care Trust Fund after the department staff
notified him and demanded compliance. He attempted to address the
complaints. Some of the record-keeping deficiencies were corrected after
notice and dem~d from th~ staff. He ultimately gave up the cemetery and
cemetery company as a result of financial insolvency.. He has continued to pay
for some maintenance of the cemetery property.
DOB Docket 13-l 1-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page22
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421
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
I. Proper notice of hearing was timely given to Antioch St. James Cemetery
Company d/b/a/ American Memorial Park ("cemeteiy company.,'), Gerald
Weatherall Sr., individually and as president of the cemetery company, and
Bever~y Randall-Weatherall as vice-president of the cemetery company.
2. The Commissioner of Banking has jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of the
Texas Health and Safety Code and Texas Finance Commission Rules
. .
concerning the operations of perpetual care cemeteries, specifically with respect
to Antioch St James C~metery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park, the
actions of Gerald Weatherall, Sr., individually and as president ofthe·cemetery
company, and the actions of Beverly Randall-Weatherall as vice-president of
the cemetery company, and to the violations which are charged in this docket.
3: During the period from 2009 to March 1, 2012, ~hen it was owned and
operated by the respondents, Antioch St. James Cemetery d/b/a American
Memorial Park was a perpetual care cemetery under Health and Safety Code
§711.001(24) that was operated under Certificate of Authority No. 74.
4. Order No. 2012-011, the May 16, 2012, Emergency Cease and Desist Order
concerning the respondents in this case, is a final order and its Findings of Fact
are taken as true.
5. The responsible persons violated Health andSafety Code §711.003(4) on
multiple occasions by failing to accurately identify on the intennent records of
the cemetery the plot in which the remains ofa specific individual was interred
DOB Docket 13-1 I-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et at.
ProposaJ for Decision Following Exceptions Page23
BANKING DEPT ·
422
and failing to correct the violations within 30 days after receiving notice of the
violations from the Department.
6. The responsible persons violated Finance Commission Rule 7 Texas
Administrative Code §26(2)(b)(4) on multiple occasions by failing to record the
final disposition of purchase agreements on the historical contract register and
failing to correct the violations within 30 days after receiving notice of the
violations from the Department.
7. The responsible persons violated Finance Commission Rule 7 Texas
Administrative Code §26(2)(b)(3) on multiple occasions by failing to maintain
separate property files in the names of the purchasers and failing to correct the
violations within 30 days after receiving n<:>tice of the violations from the
Department.
8. The responsible persons violated Finance Commission Rule 7 Texas
Adm~nistrative Code §26.2(b)(l)(A) on several occasions by failing to maintain
a financial statement that substantiates the cemet~ry's use of trust fund income
and failing to correct the violations within 30 days after receiving notice of the .
violations from the Department
9. Th~ responsible persons_ violated Health·_and Safety Code §712.028(a) on
multiple occasions by failing to accurately calculate the amount of perpetual
care funds to be deposited and failing to coqect the violations within 30 days
after receiving notice of the violations from the Department.
DOB Docket 13-1 J-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company. et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 24
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423
10. The responsible persons violated Health and Safety Code §712.029(c) on
multiple occasions by failing to timely deposit the correct amount of funds into
the perpetual care trust fund.
11. The responsible persons violated Health and Safety Code §712.029(a) on
multiple occasions by failing to disclose on the purchase agreements the correct
amount of perpetual care funds to be deposited· in the perpetual care trust fund
and failing to correct the violations within 30 days after receiving notice of the
violations from the Department.
12. The responsible persons violated Finance Commission Rule 7 Texas
Administrative Code §26.2(b)(5) on multiple occasions by failing to maintain
accurate monthly recapitulations of all interment rights issued and failing to
correct the violations within 30 days after receiving notice of the violations
from the Department
13. The responsible persons violated Health and Safety Code §71 l.034(a)(l) by
failing to accurately survey and map or plat Section J of the cemetery property
showing the plots contained within the perimeter boundary and showing a
specific unique number for each plot and failing to correct the violations within
30 days after receiving notice of the violations from the Department.
. .
14. The responsible persons violated Health and Safety Code §71 l.034(b) by
failing to file an accurate map or plat of Section.I with the county clerk in
which the cemetery is located and failing to correct the violations within 30
days after receiving notice of the violations from the Department
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page25
BANKING DEPT .
424
"
~ 15. The responsible persons violated Health and Safety Code §711.038(a)(l) by
selling, conveying, or both selling and conveying the exclusive right of
sepulture in a plot in Section J before an accurate map or plat and a certificate
or declaration of dedication was filed with the county clerk as provided by
Section 711.034 and failing to correct the violations within 30 days after
receiving notice of the violations from the Department.
16. The responsible persons violated Finance Commission Rule §26.5 by failing on
multiple occasions, with respect to Section J, to issue a conveyance document
for a cemetery plot, as defined by Health and Safety Code §711.001(25), no
later than 20 days after the end of the month in which the contract is paid in full
and failing to correct the violations within 30 days after receiving notice of the
r violations from the Department
17. The responsible persons violated Health and Safety Code §711.038(c) by
failing on multiple occasions,. with respect to Section J, to file in the cemetery
organizations' office the conveyance of the exclusive right of sepulture in
Section J and failing to correct the violations within 30 days after receiving
notice of the violations from the Department
18. The responsible persons violated Health and Safety Code §712.0032 by
operating a perpetual care cemetery after Marc~ 1, 2012, without_holding a
certificate of authority to operate a perpetual
. care cemetery under
.
Health and
Safety Code Chapter 712.
.-
"
'Z DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 26
BANKING DEPT
425
19. The responsible persons violated Commissioner Order No. 2012-011 by
burying the body of a person on June 14, 2012, and failing to timely send the
required documentation to the Department.
20. With respect to the asserted violation of Health and Safety Code §712.0037(a),
the responsible person's actions concerning failure to maintain required
minimum capital did not amount to a violation oflaw that is subject to
imposition of an administrative penalty after the department decided not to
renew the certificate of authority.
21. Gerald Weatherall, Sr., is the person who is responsible, individua11y and in his
capacity as fonner president of Antioch St. James Cemetery d/b/a American
Memorial Park, for the violations of law that are set forth in these Findings of
r Fact and Conclusions of Law.
22. The Commissioner of Banldng in his discretion has the authority under Health
and Safety Code Sections 712.0441 and 711.055 to assess an administrative
penalty against Antioch St James Cemetery d/b/a American ·Memorial Park
and Gerald Weatherall, Sr., in his individual capacity and in his capacity as
former president of the cemetery company, in the amount of$~,OOO for each
day of violation.
23. An_administrative penalty in the amount of up to $70,_000.00 is supported by
the evidence under the provisions of Health and Safety Code Sections 711.055,
711.056, 712.0441, and 712.0442.
r
' '
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 27
426
BANKING DEPT ·
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the evidence and applicable law, including the facts that the Department has
acted by not renewing Certificate of Authority No. 74, the cemetery company is nd longer in
business, and the respondents no longer own the cemetery property or conduct cemetery
operations, the administrative law judge recommends an administrative penalty up to
$56,000.00.
Signed this 12th day of November, 2013.
MP h. 002JL--
Donald N. Walker
Administrative Law Judge
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St James Cemetery Company, et al.
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions Page 28
BANKING DEPT
427
Docket No~ BE-13-11-326
IN THE MATTER OF ANTIOCH § BEFORE THE BANKING
ST. JAMES CEMETERY COMPANY §
d/b/a AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK, §
GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, (Certificate §
of Authority No. 74, expired); §
§
GERALD WEATHERALL, SR., AS ITS § COMMISSIONER OF TEXAS
PRESIDENT AND IN HIS INDIVIDUAL §
CAPACITY; AND, §
§
BEVERLY RANDALL-WEATHERALL §
AS ITS VICE-PRESIDENT § AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUN':fY, TEXAS
FINAL ORDER
On this _ _ _ _ day of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, 2013, ca.me on to be
considered Docket No. BE-13-11-326. After reviewing the administrative record and the
Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions issued by the Administrative Law Judge on
November 12, 2013, I have determined that the Findings ofFact and Conclusions of Law are
supported by the evidence of record and applicable law.
I, therefore, ADOPT the Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions, including
are
specifically the Findings of Fact and Conclusions ·of Law that° set forth in the Proposal for
Decision Following Exceptions and incorporate in this Order the Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law therein as if set out in full in this Order.
Based on the record and the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, I conclude that
an administrative penalty in the.amount of$ is justified and
appropriate under the factors required by law.
It is, therefore, ORDERED that an administrative penalty in the amount of
$ be and is hereby ASSESSED against respondents Antioch St. James
Cemetery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park, and Gerald Weatherall, Sr., in his
individual capacity and in his capacity offonner President of Antioch St James Cemetery
Company d/b/a American Memorial Park.
BANKING DEPT·
428
Respondents Antioch St. James Cemetery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park,
and Gerald Weatherall, Sr., in his individual capacity and in his capacity of fonner President
of Antioch St James Cemetery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park, jointly and
sever~ly, are ORDERED to pay an administrative penalty of .....$ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to the
Texas Department of Banking.
All relief that was requested but not granted or othetwise disposed of herein is denied.
SIGNED and ENTERED this _ _ _ _ day of - - - - - - - - 2013.
Charles G. Cooper
Banking Conunissioner
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St. James Cemetery Company. et al
Final Order Page2
Appendix 2
Final Order No. 2013-028
Order No. 2013- -0~9,
Docket No. BE-13-11-326
IN THE MATTER OF ANTIOCH § BEFORE THE BANKING
ST. JOHNS CEMETERY COMPANY §
d/b/a AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK, §
GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, (Certificate
§
of Authority No. 74, expired);§
§
GERALD WEATHERALL, SR., AS ITS § COMMISSIONER OF TEXAS
PRESIDENT AND IN HIS INDIVIDUAL §
CAPACITY; AND, §
§
BEYERLY RANDALL-WEATHERALL §
AS ITS VICE-PRESIDENT § AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS
FINAL ORDER
. rh
On this J.:> day of November, 2013 came on to be considered Docket No.
BE-13-11-326. After reviewing the administrative record and the Proposal for Decision
Following Exceptions issued by the Administrative Law Judge on November 12, 2013, I have
determined that the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law are supported by the evidence of
record and applicable law.
I, therefore, ADOPT the Proposal for Decision Following Exceptions, including
specifically the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law that are set forth in the Proposal for
Decision Following Exceptions and incorporate in this Order the Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law therein as if set out in full in this Order.
Based on the record and the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, I conclude that
an administrative penalty in the amount of $56,000 is justified and appropriate under the
factors required by law.
It is, therefore, ORDERED that an administrative penalty in the amount of$56,000 be
and is hereby ASSESSED against respondents Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company d/b/a
American Memorial Park, and Gerald Weatherall, Sr., in his individual capacity and in his
capacity of former President of Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company d/b/a American
Memorial Park.
Respondents Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park,
and Gerald Weatherall, Sr., in his individual capacity and in his capacity of former President of
Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park, jointly and severally,
are ORDERED to pay an administrative penalty of$56,000 to the Texas Department of
Banking.
All relief that was requested but not granted or otherwise disposed of herein is denied.
SIGNED and ENTERED this ~S- tt:iay ofNovember, 2013.
~de(~
Charles G. Cooper
Banking Commissioner
Page2
DOB Docket 13-11-326
Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company, et al
Final Order
Appendix 3
Motion for Re-Hearing
BANKING DEPT
431
DOCKET NO. BE 13-11-326
IN THE MATTER OF ANTIOCH § BEFORE THE BANKING
ST. JOHNS CEMETARY COMPANY §
d/b/a AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK, §
GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, (Certificate §
of Authority No. 74, expired); §
§ COMMISSIONER OF TEXAS
GERALD WEATHERALL, AS ITS §
PRESIDENT AND IN HIS INDIVIDUAL §
CAPACITY; AND; §
§
BEVERAL Y RANDALL-WEATHERALL §
AS ITS VICE-PRESIDENT § AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS
MOTION FOR RE-HEARING
NOW COMES, Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park,
Grand Prairie, Texas, Gerald Weatherall, and Beveraly Randall-Weatherall (the "Movants"), to
file this, their Motion for Rehearing on the Final Order of the administrative law judge for the
above referenced and numbered cause.
To the extent that the Movants disagree with the penalties assessed against the individual
. movants in their individual capacities, and that such penalties do no comport with the finding of
facts by the Administrative Law Judge and the rules regarding governance of cemeteries for the
state of Texas, Movants request a rehearing in this cause.
Accordingly, this Motion for Rehearing is being submitted pursuant to Texas
Government Code§§ 2001.145 and 2001.146.
MOTION FOR REHEARING PAGE-I
BANKING DEPT
432
Respectfully Submitted by:
THE LAW OFFICES OF KEVIN S. WILEY, JR.
/s/ Kevin S. Wiley, Jr.
Kevin S. Wiley, Jr.
Texas State Bar No. 24029902
325 N. St. Paul Street, Suite 4400
Dallas, Texas 75201
Tel.: 469-619-5721
Fax.: 469-619-5725
ATTORNEY FOR
Gerald Weatherall and Beverly Weatherall
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Motion for Rehearing has been served on the
Banking Commission by and through their counsel ofrecord below on this 27th day of December
via electronic mail
Deborah H. Loomis
Assistant General Counsel
dloomis@dob.texas.gov
2601 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78705
MOTION FOR REHEARING PAGE-2
BANKING DEPT
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF BANKING 437
2601 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705
512-475-1300 /877-276-5554
www.dob.texas.gov
Charles G. Cooper
Commissioner
January 7, 2014
Kevin S. Wiley, Jr. Transmitted via:
The Law Offices of Kevin S. Wiley, Jr. Certified Mail, return receipt requested,
325 N. St. Paul Street, Suite 4400 No. 7192 3020 001020001729.
Dallas, Texas 75201 and email to kevinwiley@LKSWJR.com
Deborah H. Loomis Transmitted via:
Texas Department of Banking Hand Delivery
2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 300
Austin, Texas 78705
Re: In The Matter of Antioch St. Johns Cemetery Company dba American Memorial Park,
Grand Prairie, Texas; Gerald Weatherall, as its President and in his individual capacity;
and Beverly Randall-Weatherall, as its Vice-President; Docket No. BE-13-11-326;
Commissioner's Order 2013-028
Dear Mr. Wiley and Ms. Loomis:
I have reviewed the Motion for Re-Hearing in the above referenced matter filed by Antioch St.
Johns Cemetery Company dba American Memorial Park, Granc:l Prairie, Texas, Gerald
Weatherall, and Beverly Randall-Weatherall dated December 27, 2013, and the Reply of Texas
Department of Banking to Motion for Rehearing Filed by Respondents.
The ·Motion for Re-Bearing is denied.
Charles G. Cooper
Banking Commissioner
cc: A. Kaylene Ray, General Counsel
Appendix 4
Final Order – Travis County District Court
Filed in The District Court
of Travis County Texas
At
APR Q 2;15
Ji J_
~
CAUSE NO. D-1-GN-14-000367 M
Velva L. Price, District Jerk .
ANTIOCH ST JOHN CEMETERY § IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
COMPANY D/B/A AMERICAN §
MEMIORIAL PARK, GRAND PRAIRIE, §
TEXAS, GERALD WEATHERALL and §
BEVERLY RANDALL-WEATJ-IERALL, §
Plaintiffs, §
§
§
V. § TRAVIS COUNTY. TEX/\S
§
THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT Of §
BANKING COMMISSIONER, §
Defendant §
§ 261st .JUDICIAL DISTRICT
On April 30, 20 I 5, the Court heard the administrative appeal of Plaintiffs Antioch St. John
Cemetery Company d/b/a American Memorial Park, Grand Prairie, Texas, Gerald Weatherall, and
Beverly Randall-Weatherall. After considering the parties' briefs, arguments of collnsel, and the
applicable law, the Court finds that the Texas Banking Commissioner's Order No. 20 I3-028,
entered on November 25, 2013, should be affirmed.
lt is therefore ORDERED that Commissioner's Order No. 2013-028, entered on November
25, 2013, is AFFIRMED.
SIGNEDon ~/L 3L2 '2015.