STATE OF MICHIGAN
DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE REGULATION ,,

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Before the Commissioner of the Office of Financial and Insnrance Regut�fJ
In the matter of:
JPay Inc.
MT-0017843

Enforcement Case No. 12-11449

Respondent.
Issued and entered
on /1i.i_ day of t/011eV1t6e1A, 20-1!::
by Stephen R. Hilker
Senior Deputy Commissioner
CONSENT ORDER AND STIPULATION
A.

20/2

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

It is alleged that the following statements are true and correct:
1.

JPay Inc. (JPay) is incorporated in Delaware with its principal place of business located
at: 12864 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 243, Miami, Florida 33181.

2.

On March 27, 2008, JPay registered with the Bureau of Commercial Services,
Corporation Division to conduct business in Michigan. On its Application for Certificate
of Authority to Transact Business or Conduct Affairs in Michigan form filed with the
Bureau of Commercial Services, JPay stated that its specific business is to "Provide
electronic payment and communication services for government agencies." On the 2009,
2010, and 2011, Bureau of Commercial Services, Foreign Corporation Information
Update form, JPay described the nature of its business as "e-commerce for government
agencies" and "e-commerce services for government agencies."

3.

JPay is a corporation that engages in the business of transferring money electronically
from friends and family of inmates to inmates incarcerated at Michigan correctional
facilities.

4.

Section 11(1) of the Money Transmission Services Act, (Act), MCL 487.1011(1)
provides that: "Except as otherwise provided in this section and subject to section 4, a
person shall not provide money transmission services in this state after December 31,
2006 without a license under this act or a class I license issued under the consumer
financial services act, 1988 PA 161, MCL 487.2051 to 487.2072."

Consent Order and Stipulation
Enforcement Case No. 12-11449
Page 2 of 4

5.

Section 3(c) of the Act, MCL 487.1003(c), provides "'Money transmission services'
means selling or issuing payment instruments or stored value devices or receiving money
or monetary value for transmission. The term does not include the provision solely of
delivery, online, or telecommunications services or network access."

6.

Section 3(e) of the Act, MCL 487.1003(e), provides "'Payment instrument' means any
electronic or written check, draft, money order, travelers check, or other wire, electronic,
or written instrument or order for the transmission or payment of money, sold or issued to
1 or more persons, whether or not the instrument is negotiable. The term includes any
stored value device or facsimile. The term does not include any credit card voucher, letter
of credit, or tangible object redeemable by the issuer in goods or services."

7.

Section 3(f) of the Act, MCL 487.1003(f), provides '"Person' means an individual,
partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, trust, estate, joint
venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality, public
corporation, or any other legal entity."

8.

Section 3(i) of the Act, MCL 487.1003(i), provides "'Stored value device' means a card
or other tangible object used for the transmission or payment of money that contains a
microprocessor chip, magnetic stripe, or other means for the storage of information; that
is prefunded; and the value of which is reduced after each use. The term does not include
a tangible object the value of which is redeemable in the issuer's goods and services."

9.

Section 46 of the Act, MCL 487.1046, provides that "[t]he commissioner may assess a
civil fine against a person that violates this act, a rule promulgated or an order or ruling
issued by the commissioner under this act, or any other applicable state or federal law in
an amount that does not exceed $10,000.00 per day for each day the violation continues,
plus this state's costs and expenses for the investigation and prosecution of the matter,
including reasonable attorney fees."

10.

JPay is not, and has never been, licensed to conduct money transmission services in the
State of Michigan.

11.

Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation's (OFIR) review of JPay's business model
and activities shows that JPay is engaged in money transmission services. According to
JPay, correctional facilities contract with them to provide electronic payment, release
debit card, eMessaging, digital media and video visitation services for the family and
friends of inmates. JPay has contracted with the Michigan Department of Corrections to
provide these services.

12.

JPay' s transactions occur as follows:
a. The inmate's friend or family sends the inmate money through MoneyGram or
Pre Cash.
b. MoneyGram or PreCash remits the money to JPay.
c. JPay remits the money to the inmate's correctional facility.

Consent Order and Stipulation
Enforcement Case No. 12-11449
Page 3 of 4

d. Upon receipt of the money, the correctional facility holds the funds in a trust
account which is established by the correctional facility on behalf of inmates for
the duration of their incarceration.
e. The money is disbursed periodically to the inmate to make purchases at the
facility.
13.

On or about July 31, 2009, JPay entered into an authorized delegate agreement with
PreCash. Before the agreement with PreCash, JPay handled the money transmission
process itself.

14.

JPay operated without a license or as an authorized delegate for 6 months; from February
2009 to July 2009.

15.

JPay contacted OFIR in 2010 and OFIR sent JPay a response dated September 2, 2010
stating that JPay is required to be licensed. JPay did not submit an application for
licensure until June 21, 2011.

16.

JPay is an organization that accepts payment instruments, stored value device or money
from friends and family of inmates for transmission to the Michigan Department of
Corrections; thus, JPay engages in money transmission services as defined in Section 11
of the Act, MCL 487.1011.

17.

JPay did not qualify for an exemption or exception from licensure under Section 4 or 11
of the Act, MCL 487.1004 & 487.1011.

18.

On June 21, 2011, JPay submitted a license application to OFIR.

19.

JPay violated Section 11 of the Act, MCL 487.1011, by conducting money transmission
services business in the State of Michigan without first obtaining a license under the Act
and is subject to all appropriate penalties under Section 46 of the Act, MCL 487.1046.

B.

ORDER

Based upon the findings of fact and conclusions of law above, and Respondent's Stipulation to
said facts, it is hereby ORDERED that:
1.

Respondent shall immediately cease and desist from operating in a manner that violates
the Michigan's Money Transmission Services Act, PA 250 of 2006, as amended, MCL
487.1001 et seq.

2.

OFIR agrees to present and recommend to the Senior Deputy Commissioner approval of
JPay Inc.'s June 21, 2011 money transmission services application upon payment of the
civil fine and issuance and entry of this Order.

Consent Order and Stipulation
Enforcement Case No. 12-11449
Page 4 of 4

3.

Respondent shall pay to the state of Michigan, a civil fine of One Hundred Fifty-Two
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($152,500.00). Respondent shall pay the fine by the due
date printed on the Invoice.

Steph n R. Hilker
Senior Deputy Commissioner

C.

STIPULATION

I have read and understand the Consent Order above. I agree that the Senior Deputy
Commissioner has jurisdiction and authority to issue this Consent Order pursuant to the Money
Transmission Services Act. I waive any right to a hearing in this matter if this Consent Order is
issued. I understand that this Stipulation and Consent Order will be presented to the Senior
Deputy Commissioner for approval and the Senior Deputy Commissioner may or may not issue
this Consent Order. I waive any objection to the Commissioner deciding this case following a
hearing in the event the Consent Order is not approved. I admit the findings of fact and
conclusions of law set forth in the above Consent Order and I agree to the entry of this Order. I
admit that both parties have complied with the procedural requirements of the Money
Transmission Services Act and the Michigan Administrative Procedures Act, MCL 24.201 et
seq. I have had an opportunity to review the Stipulation and Consent Order and have the same
reviewed by legal counsel.

A~ntative

of JPay Inc.

MT-0017843
Name/Title:

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Dated:

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OFIR staff approves this Stipulation and recommends that the Commissioner issue the above
Consent Order.

William R. Peattie, Staff Attorney
Office of General Counsel
Dated:

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