Cooperation of officers and employees.

(1) Any present or former officer, director, manager, trustee, agent, adjuster, employee, or independent contractor of any insurer or affiliate and any other person who possesses any executive authority over, or who exercises any control over, any segment of the affairs of the insurer or affiliate shall fully cooperate with the department and office in any proceeding under this chapter or any investigation preliminary or incidental to the proceeding. An order of rehabilitation or liquidation which results in the discharge or suspension of any of the persons listed above does not operate to release such person from the duty to cooperate with the department and office as set out herein. As used in this section, the term “person” includes any person who directly or indirectly exercises control over activities of the insurer through any holding company or other affiliate of the insurer. The term “cooperate” includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) To reply promptly in writing to any inquiry from the department or office requesting such a reply;

(b) Promptly to make available and deliver to the department or office any books, accounts, documents, other records, information, data processing software, or property of or pertaining to the insurer and in her or his possession, custody, or control; or

(c) Promptly to provide access to all data processing records in hard copy and in electronic form and to data processing facilities and services.

(2) No person shall obstruct or interfere with the department or office in the conduct of any delinquency proceeding or any investigation preliminary or incidental thereto.

(3) This section does not prohibit any person from seeking legal relief from a court when aggrieved by the petition for liquidation or other delinquency proceeding or by other orders.

(4) Any person referred to in subsection (1) who fails to cooperate with the department or office, or any other person who obstructs or interferes with the department or office, in the conduct of any delinquency proceeding or any investigation preliminary or incidental thereto, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by fine of not more than $10,000.

(5) Refusal by any person referred to in subsection (1) to provide records upon the request of the department or office is grounds for revocation of any insurance-related license, including, but not limited to, agent and third-party administrator licenses.

(6) Any person referred to in subsection (1) who refuses to cooperate in providing records upon the request of the department or office is liable for any penalties, fines, or other costs assessed against the guaranty association or the receiver that result from the refusal or delay to provide records.