2026-06-05
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The Florida Office of Financial Regulation issued a Final Order against Star Lending Group, LLC and Derrick Kirk Hill for failing to timely submit required Mortgage Call Reports. Because the respondents waived their right to an administrative hearing by not responding to the initial complaint, the Office imposed a $1,750.00 administrative fine. The order mandates that the respondents pay this fine within thirty days of the order's date.
Index: OFR 2026 - 292 STATE OF FLORIDA ; 6/5/2026 ) GAL OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION In Re: STAR LENDING GROUP, LLC, and DERRICK KIRK HILL, Case Number: 131185 Respondents. FINAL ORDER The State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation ("Office"), being authorized and directed to administer and enforce chapter 494, Florida Statutes, hereby enters this Final Order with Notice of Rights ("Final Order") as authorized by the provisions of chapters 120 and 494, Florida Statutes, against STAR LENDING GROUP, LLC and DERRICK KIRK HILL, ("Respondents"). FINDINGS OF FACT
they had twenty-one (21) days after the receipt of the Complaint within which to petition the Office for an administrative hearing to contest the allegation set forth in the Complaint, in accordance with sections 120.59 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, including the following information: TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT TO A HEARING, A WRITTEN RESPONSE MUST BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION WITHIN TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT. SAID RESPONSE MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON THE TWENTYFIRST DAY AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT. A FAILURE TO TIMELY RESPOND IN WRITING WILL CONSTITUTE A W AIYER OF THE LICENSEE'S RIGHT TO REQUEST A HEARING AND A FINAL ORDER MAY BE ENTERED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE. 6. To date, the Office has neither received a written response to the Complaint nor have Respondents made a claim of equitable tolling. 7. The Findings of Fact alleged in the Complaint are hereby incorporated by reference and adopted as Findings of Fact in this Final Order. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 8. Pursuant to sections 494.001 I and 494.0012, Florida Statutes, the Office is charged with administering and enforcing the provisions of chapter 494, Florida Statutes, and conducting examinations and investigations to determine whether any provision of chapter 494, Florida Statutes, has been violated. Thereby, the Office has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this case and of the parties hereto. 9. The Findings of Fact herein serve as the basis of the entry of this Final Order against Respondents. 10. Section 120.569(2)(a), Florida Statutes, and Rule 28-106.111(2), Florida Administrative Code, require, among other things, that a response or a petition to an action which 2
affects the substantial interests of a party be filed with the agency within 21 days of receipt of written notice of the action. 11. Pursuant to Rule 28-106.111(4), Florida Administrative Code, the failure of Respondent to timely respond to the Complaint constitutes a waiver of Respondent's right to an administrative proceeding. 12. The doctrine of equitable tolling can be applied in administrative cases when a party has been misled or lulled into inaction, i.e., has in some extraordinary way, been prevented from asserting his rights, or has timely asserted his rights in the wrong forum. Machules, v. Department of Admin., 523 So. 2d 1132 (Florida 1988). 13. Without any evidence of equitable tolling, it is appropriate for the Office to conclude there was none. Patz v. Dept. of Health, 864 So.2d 79, 80 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003). 14. Respondent failed to submit a response to the Complaint and failed to present a claim, or evidence of equitable tolling. Therefore, it is appropriate for the Office to conclude there was no equitable tolling and Respondents waived its right to an administrative proceeding. 15. The Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law that form the basis for the Complaint, together with the waiver of a hearing by Respondents, constitute grounds for the Office to impose an administrative fine against ST AR LENDING GROUP, LLC and DERRICK KIRK HILL. Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is hereby ORDERED: A. Within thirty (30) days of the date of this Final Order, Respondents shall pay an ADMINISTRATIVE FINE of One Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,750.00). B. Respondents shall submit the administrative fine in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or wire transfer made payable to the "OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION". Such payment shall reference Case Number 131185 and shall be sent to the 3
attention of the Agency Clerk, c/o Debra Pierce, Post Office Box 8050, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-8050. DONE and ORDERED this 5--il-t day of June, 2026, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. Commissioner 4
NOTICE OF RIGHTS A PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS FINAL ORDER IS ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.68, FLORIDA STATUTES. REVIEW PROCEEDINGS ARE GOVERNED BY THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE. SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE COMMENCED BY FILING THE ORIGINAL NOTICE OF APPEAL WITH THE AGENCY CLERK FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AS FOLLOWS: By Mail, Facsimile or Email Agency Clerk Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel P.O. Box 8050 Tallahassee, FL 32314-8050 Phone: (850) 410-9889 Fax: (850) 4 I 0-9663 Email: Agency.Clerk@flofr.gov OR By Hand Delivery Agency Clerk Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel The Fletcher Building 101 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: (850) 410-9889 A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF APPEAL, ACCOMPANIED BY THE FILING FEES AS REQUIRED BY LAW, MUST ALSO BE FILED WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST DISTRICT, 2000 DRAYTON DRIVE, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0950, OR WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN THE APPELLATE DISTRICT WHERE THE PARTY RESIDES. THE NOTICE OF APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITH BOTH THE AGENCY CLERK FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AND THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE RENDITION OF THE ORDER TO BE REVIEWED. 5
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Final Order has been sent for service via US Certified Mail to Star Lending Group, LLC and Derrick Kirk Hill at 18383 Preston Rd., #202, Dallas, TX 75252 and to Florida Registered Agent Service as Star Lending Group, LLC Registered Agent at 7901 4th St. N. STE 300 St. Petersburg, FL 33702, on this ~ day of June, 2026. 1a egulation 0 ' 050 T ahass 32314-8050 Email: Agency.Clerk@flofr.gov Tel: (850) 410-9889 9489 090 0027 6214 9311 67 9489 0090 0027 6620 8136 99 6
STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION In Re: STAR LENDING GROUP, LLC, and DERRICK KIRK HILL, Respondents. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT EXHIBIT A Case Number: 131185 The State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation, ("Office") files this Administrative Complaint against STAR LENDING GROUP, LLC and DERRICK KIRK HILL ("Respondents"), alleging: GENERAL ALLEGATIONS I. Pursuant to section 494.0011, Florida Statutes, the Office is charged with administering and enforcing the provisions of chapter 494, Florida Statutes. 2. Pursuant to section 494.00255(1)(u), Florida Statutes, failure to comply with any provision of chapter 494, Florida Statutes, or its corresponding rules constitutes grounds for disciplinary action. 3. Pursuant to section 494.001(23), Florida Statutes, a "mortgage broker" means a person conducting loan originator activities through one or more licensed loan originators employed by the mortgage broker or as independent contractors to the mortgage broker. 4. Pursuant to section 494.001(30), Florida Statutes, a "principal loan originator" is the Jicensed loan originator in charge of, and responsible for, the operations of a mortgage broker. 5. The Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and/or Registry ("NMLS") is the mortgage licensing system and data repository ofrecord which is statutorily mandated to be used
by the Office to manage licensing of all mortgage loan originators and mortgage entities in Florida. §494.001 (33), Florida Statutes. 6. Star Lending Group, LLC ("Star Lending") has been licensed with the Office as a mortgage broker (License No. MBR3205) since August 16, 2019. 7. Star Lending is not an approved Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Seller/Servicer, or Ginne Mae Issuer. 8. Derrick Kirk Hill ("Hill") is the designated principal loan originator, sole owner and broker of Star Lending Group, LLC. 9. As such, pursuant to section 494.001(30), Florida Statutes, Hill is responsible for the daily operations of Star Lending. 10. The Office conducted an examination (No. 130509) to ascertain Respondents' compliance with chapter 494, Florida Statutes, and corresponding rules. 11. Rule 69V-40.111(1 ), Florida Administratrive Code, provides that the penalties that are applicable to each ground for disciplinary action that may be imposed by the Office against a person for a violation of chapter 494, Florida Statutes, are set forth in the "Office of Financial Regulation, Division of Consumer Finance, Disciplinary Guidelines for Mortgage Loan Originators and Mortgage Entities, Form OFR-494-14". 12. Pursuant to Rule 69V- 40.111(5), Florida Administrative Code, the range for a "B" level administrative fine is between $3,500.00 to $7,500.00. COUNTI 13. The above general allegations are hereby re-alleged and incorporated by reference as if fully stated herein. 14. Pursuant to 494.004(2), Florida Statutes, a mortgage broker must submit to the 2
Office on a quarterly basis a report of condition, also known as a Mortgage Call Report ("MCR") viaNMLS. 15. Pursuant to Rule 69V-40.176(3)(a), Florida Administrative Code, mortgage brokers who are not approved Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Sellers/Servicers, or Ginnie Me Issuers are required to submit the Residential Mortgage Loan Activity component of the MCR to the Office via NMLS within 45 days of the end of each calendar quarter. I 6. During the examination, the Office found the following with regards to Respondents' MCR submissions: i. MCR for quarter ending September 30, 2024, which was due on November 14, 2024, was filed on December 26, 2024. 17. By failing to timely submit quarterly MCRs, Respondents violated Rule 69V40. l 76 (3), Florida Administrative Code, and thereby violated section 494.004(2), Florida Statutes. 18. On March 20, 2020, the Office issued Respondents a first citation for violation of Rule 69V-40.l 76(3)(a), Florida Administrative Code and section 494.004(2), Florida Statutes because Respondents failed to timely submit MCRs for Quarter 3 2019. 19. Respondents' second citation for violation of Rule 69V-40.176(3)(a), Florida Administrative Code and section 494.004(2), Florida Statutes resulted in a Final Order issued in OFR 2024-712, Case No. 115091, on November 18, 2024, requiring Respondent to pay an administrative fine because of late filing or failure to submit multiple MCRs for years 2020 and 2021. 20. Respondents' failure to timely file the MCR for Quarter 3 2024 is Respondents' third violation of section 494.004(2), Florida Statutes. 21. Pursuant to the Disciplinary Guidelines for Mortgage Loan Originators and Mortgage Entities Form OFR-494-14, incorporated by reference in Rule 69V-40.ll l, Florida 3
Administrative Code, a licensee found to have violated section 494.004(2), Florida Statutes, for the third time is subject to a "B" level administrative fine. 22. Therefore, the Office is seeking to impose a One Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty DolJars ($1,750.00) administrative fine. WHEREFORE, Respondents, Star Lending Group, LLC and Derrick Kirk Hill are hereby notified that the Office intends to enter an Order imposing an administrative fine of One Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,750.00). NOTICE OF RIGHTS The licensee is entitled to be represented by counsel or other qualified representative. The licensee also has the right to request a hearing pursuant to sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes. Such request must comply with Rules 28-106.2015 and 28-106.104, Florida Administrative Code. An Election of Proceeding form is attached for your convenience. Any such request must be filed as follows: Bv Mail. Facsimile or Email Agency Clerk Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel P.O. Box 8050 Tallahassee, FL 32314-8050 Phone: (850) 410-9889 Fax: (850) 410-9663 Email: Agency.Clerk@flofr.gov OR B, Hand Deliven· Agency Clerk Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel The Fletcher Building, Suite 504 101 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: (850) 410-9889 TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT TO A HEARING, A WRITTEN RESPONSE MUST BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION WITHIN TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT. SAID RESPONSE MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE 4
COMPLAINT. A FAILURE TO TIMELY RESPOND IN WRITING WILL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF THE LICENSEE'S RIGHT TO REQUEST A HEARING AND A FINAL ORDER MAY BE ENTERED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE. You may not make an oral request for an administrative hearing. With regard to a written request, if you fail to follow the outlined procedure, your request may be dismissed. Any request for an administrative proceeding received prior to the date of this notice is deemed abandoned and to be considered, must be timely renewed in compliance with the procedure set forth above. Mediation of this matter pursuant to section 120.573, Florida Statutes, is not available. NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Agency Clerk no later than seven (7) days prior to the filing deadline or proceeding, at the Office of Financial Regulation, The Fletcher Building, 101 East Gaines Street, Suite 504, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, Phone: (850) 410-9889, or by Email: Agency.Clerk@flofr.gov. By, Qkf/{L_ Debra H. Pierce Senior Attorney Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel Fla. Bar No. 0326690 200 E Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0370 Tel: (850) 410-9998 Email: Debra.Pierce@flofr.gov 5
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Administrative Complaint has been sent for service via U.S. Certified Mail to Star Lending Group, LLC and Derrick Kirk Hill at 18383 Preston Rd.,# 202, Dallas, TX 75252 and to Florida Registerd Agent Service as Star Lending Group, LLC Registered Agent at 7901 4th St. N. STE 300 St. Petersburg, FL 33702, on this 24th day of March, 2026. 9489 090 □□ 27 6214 9329 28 6 l / _//() ( ~ N --~ Debra H. Pierce Senior Attorney
STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION Case No: 131185 Star Lending Group, LLC and Derrick Kirk Hill 18383 Preston Rd., 202 Dallas, TX 75252 ELECTION OF PROCEEDING I have received and read the Administrative Complaint, including the Notice of Rights, filed by the Office of Financial Regulation ("Office") regarding the above-referenced Respondent, and I am requesting disposition as indicated below. PLEASE SELECT ONLY ONE OF THE OPTIONS: OPTION #1: D I do not request a hearing in this matter. I do not dispute any of the Office's factual allegations and conclusions oflaw as stated in the Administrative Complaint. I understand that upon my waiving the right to a hearing, the Office may enter a final order adopting the findings of fact and conclusions of law in the Administrative Com lalnt and Im osln the enalties sou t in the Administrative Com lalnt. OPTION #2: D I do not dispute any of the Office's factual allegations but dispute the Office's conclusions of law to those factual allegations, and request disposition of this matter by informal hearing pursuant to section 120.57(2), Florida Statutes. I request to (CHECK ONLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING 2 OPTIONS): a. D Attend a hearing by video teleconference before a Hearing Officer appointed by the Office; OR b. D Submit a written statement with supporting documentation to a Hearing Officer appointed by the Office. OPTION#3: D I do dispute one or more of the Office's factual allegations. I request a formal hearing before the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) pursuant to section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. In accordance with Rule 28-106.2015(S)(c), FAC, I am attaching a copy of the material facts that I dispute. TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO A HEARING, A RESPONSE MUST BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AGENCY CLERK NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M, ON OR BEFORE THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY AFTER RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISlRATIVE COMPLAINT, BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
Signature of Respondent or Mailing Address Authorized Representative of Respondent Printed Name & Title City State Zip Date E-mail Address Telephone Number Form: OFR-GC-13 (rev. 1/28/2026) Page 1 of 2
STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION Case No: 131185 Star Lending Group, LLC and Derrick Kirk Hill 18383 Preston Rd., 202 Dallas, TX 75252 **YOU ARE TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING ONLY IF YOU HAVE CHECKED OPTION #3 ON THE PRECEDING PAGE. If you need more space, you may provide additional pages. As Respondent or the authorized representative of Respondent, I am disputing the following material facts: Signature of Respondent or Authorized Representative Form: OFR-GC-13 (rev.1/28/2026) Page 2 of 2 Date
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