Press Release

*Joe Garcia to Serve as General Counsel for the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services*

*Media Contact:?**Laura Hall*, (517) 290-3779, [email protected]?
*Consumer Hotline:* 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/DIFS [ [link removed] ]

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*?January 4, 2023

(LANSING, MICH) Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox is proud to announce that Joe Garcia has been promoted to serve as the Department?s General Counsel.

?Joe Garcia is a dedicated, highly skilled attorney and public servant and I am pleased that he will continue to serve Michigan residents in his new role as DIFS? General Counsel,? said *Director Fox*. ?I have no doubt that Joe will bring his many years of experience to continue to move DIFS forward to achieve our goals and to work on behalf of consumers statewide.?

Mr. Garcia has worked for DIFS for more than 14 years and has served as Deputy General Counsel in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) for over 12 years. Prior to joining DIFS, Mr. Garcia was an attorney in private practice specializing in real estate, commercial transactions, and litigation. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Michigan State University and lives in Delta Township with his wife and two daughters.

In his new role, Mr. Garcia will oversee the OGC, which is responsible for providing legal advice and representation to the Director and DIFS staff with respect to: enforcement actions, formal administrative hearings, receivership proceedings, orders, drafting enforcement-related rules and bulletins, declaratory rulings, and processing FOIA requests. This office is also responsible for the prevention of criminal and fraudulent activities in the insurance and financial services markets through the Fraud Investigation Unit.

For more information about the Office of General Counsel or DIFS? other areas of regulatory responsibility, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS [ [link removed] ]. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to the DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit safely, easily and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or online by visiting DIFS' website [ [link removed] ].

The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS [ [link removed] ]?or follow the Department on Facebook [ [link removed] ], Twitter [ [link removed] ], or LinkedIn [ [link removed] ].

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