(a) For purposes of Section 31152, the commissioner may find:

(1) That a director, officer, or controlling person of an applicant is not of good character if the director, officer, or controlling person or any director or officer of the controlling person has been convicted of, or has pleaded nolo contendere to, a crime involving fraud or dishonesty.

Terms Used In California Financial Code 31152.5

  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Person: includes any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, limited liability company, syndicate, estate, trust, business trust, or organization of any kind. See California Financial Code 18

(2) That it is not reasonable to believe that an applicant, if licensed, will comply with all applicable provisions of this division and of any regulation or order issued under this division if the applicant has been convicted of, or has pleaded nolo contendere to, a crime involving fraud or dishonesty.

(b) Subdivision (a) shall not be deemed to be the only grounds upon which the commissioner may find, for purposes of Section 31152, that a director, officer, or controlling person of an applicant is not of good character or that it is not reasonable to believe that an applicant, if licensed, will comply with all applicable provisions of this division and of any regulation or order issued under this division.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1064, Sec. 646. Effective January 1, 1997. Operative July 1, 1997.)