JAMES BAKER, JR. (WILSON)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Baker effective October 10, 2025. The Commission found that Baker acted as the listing agent on a failed transaction. During the course of the transaction, the buyer placed a stop payment order on their earnest money check and Baker’s seller, who lived out of state, wanted to sue the buyer for the earnest money. On or about December 2024, Baker, who is not an attorney, filed a civil complaint in Small Claims court on behalf of his client for the disputed funds.
CURTIS BLAKE, JR. (FAYETTEVILLE)– By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Blake for a period of 6 months, effective November 24, 2025. The Commission found that Blake was an instructor in a pre-licensing course during which, Blake scheduled viewings in vacant and/or staged houses so that he and a student could meet for purposes unrelated to brokerage activities.
ANDREA GRUNDY (ERNUL)- The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Grundy, effective November 19, 2025, with no right to reapply for 10 years. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Grundy violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Grundy neither admitted nor denied misconduct.
ASHLEY HART (TUCSON)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Hart for a period of 6 months, effective November 1, 2025. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Hart was denied a passing score by the provider of a post-licensing course for alleged cheating on a remote proctor-free exam. Video of the exam shows Hart appearing to type on a separate off-camera device although Hart denied using another device during the exam.
TAYLOR KISER (PINNACLE)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Kiser, effective November 19, 2025. The Commission found that Kiser was convicted of Driving While Impaired – Level 4. This was Kiser’s third conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol. Kiser’s driving privilege is currently suspended. Kiser shall comply with any and all restrictions placed on her driving privilege and shall not transport customers or clients while her vehicle is equipped with an ignition interlock device.
KRISTEN NEAL (DURHAM)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Neal, effective November 1, 2025. The Commission found that Neal was denied a passing score by the provider of a post-licensing course for alleged cheating on a remote un-proctored exam. Neal admitted to using a cellphone during the exam to text her spouse but denied using the phone to cheat. Neal acknowledged that the exam instructions barred having a cellphone within reach during the exam. Neal subsequently retook the course and exam and is now a full broker.
PAUL PORTERFIELD (GRIFTON)- The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Porterfield, effective November 19, 2025. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Porterfield violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Porterfield neither admitted nor denied misconduct.
PETER RUSSELL (CHARLOTTE)- The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Russell, effective November 19, 2025, with no right to reapply for 2 years. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Russell violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Russell neither admitted nor denied misconduct.
CESAR SANCHEZ (RALEIGH)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Sanchez for a period of 36 months, effective May 1, 2025. The Commission then stayed the suspension following a 6.5-month active period upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Sanchez acted as a listing agent and provided a lockbox code to a potential buyer without the seller’s consent. Sanchez requested payment of a due diligence fee after falsely communicating that an offer was accepted and under contract before a written offer was submitted. Sanchez misrepresented that the property was stick built even after being provided with the manufacture label and failed to provide transaction documents to his broker-in-charge in a timely manner. Sanchez failed to fully disclose material facts learned from the first buyer’s inspection to a subsequent buyer.