2025-05-29

Consent Agreement and Order Regarding Steven Toto

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities issued a Consent Agreement and Order against Steven Toto for violating the Pennsylvania Securities Act by failing to maintain required business continuity and succession plan procedures. The order mandates that Toto pay a $35,000 administrative assessment in four equal installments over two years and comply with state securities regulations. Although the order waives his right to a hearing on the penalties, it provides a 30-day window to appeal the Final Order to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND SECURITIES : COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND : SECURITIES, BUREAU OF SECURITIES : COMPLIANCE AND EXAMINATIONS : Docket No. : 230022 (SEC-OSC) : v. : : ETHOS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. : STEVEN TOTO : : NOTICE OF RIGHT TO APPEAL You have the right to appeal the attached Final Order issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Banking and Securities Commission. (“Commission”) If you wish to appeal this Final Order, you may file a petition for review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania that complies with the format and timing requirements of Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure. Pa.R.A.P. 1511-1561. Failure to file a petition for review within 30 days of the mailing date of this Order will result in this Final Order becoming final and unappealable. The telephone number for the Commonwealth Court is 717-255-1650. All Commonwealth Court filings must be made in the Court’s filing office in Harrisburg. Filing must be made in person, by mail as provided by general rules, or electronically via the PACFile appellate court electronic filing system. The address of the Court is as follows: Pennsylvania Judicial Center 601 Commonwealth Ave. Suite 2100 P.O. Box 69185 Harrisburg, PA 17106 A party may submit a request to the Commission for rehearing or reconsideration no later than fifteen (15) days after the decision mailing date in accordance with section 35.241 of the General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure. 1 Pa. Code § 35.241. However, submitting a reconsideration request does not extend the time limit for filing a petition for review with the Commonwealth Court. You may wish to consult an attorney regarding your legal rights. FILED 2025 MAY 29 PM 4:30 PA DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND SECURITIES

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND SECURITIES


: COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : Docket No.: 230022 (SEC-OSC) DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND : SECURITIES, BUREAU OF SECURITIES : COMPLIANCE AND EXAMINATIONS : : v. : : ETHOS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. : STEVEN TOTO1 : : CONSENT AGREEMENT AND ORDER The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Department of Banking and Securities (“Department”), Bureau of Securities Compliance and Examinations (“Bureau”), has conducted an investigation of the business practices of Steven Toto. Based on the results of its investigation, the Bureau has concluded that Steven Toto operated in violation of the Pennsylvania Securities Act of 1972, 70 P.S. § 1-101 et. seq. (“1972 Act”). Steven Toto, in lieu of litigation, and without admitting or denying the allegations herein, and intending to be legally bound, hereby agrees to the terms of this Consent Agreement and Order (“Order”). BACKGROUND

  1. The Department is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s administrative agency authorized and empowered to administer and enforce the 1972 Act.
  2. The Bureau is primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the 1972 Act for the Department.
  3. Steven Toto, CRD # 1698379, was, at all times material herein, an individual with an address at . Steven Toto was, at all times 1 This Consent Agreement and Order is only applicable to Steven Toto. FILED 2025 MAY 29 PM 4:30 PA DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND SECURITIES Redacted

2 material herein, the co-owner, president, and chief compliance officer of Ethos Capital Management, Inc. 4. From in or about April 2021 until the present, Steven Toto was registered pursuant to Section 301(c) of the 1972 Act, 70 P.S. § 1-301(c), as an investment adviser representative of Ethos Capital Management, Inc. 5. Regulation 304.012(a)(24), 10 Pa. Code § 304.012(a)(24), requires that every investment adviser registered under the 1972 Act “shall make and keep true, accurate and current” certain books, ledgers and records, including “[w]ritten procedures relating to the business and continuity plan required under Regulation 304.071 (relating to business continuity and succession planning).” 6. From in or about April 2021 until the present, Steven Toto did not make and maintain written procedures relating to the business continuity and succession plan required under Regulation 304.071. VIOLATION 7. By engaging in the acts and conduct set forth in paragraphs 3 through 6 above, Steven Toto failed to make and keep true, accurate and current written procedures relating to the business and continuity plan required under Regulation 304.071, which forms a basis to deny, suspend, revoke, or condition the registration of Steven Toto or censure Steven Toto pursuant to Section 305(a)(v) of the 1972 Act, 70 P.S. § 1-305(a)(v), and Regulation 304.012(a)(24), 10 Pa. Code § 304.012(a)(24). RELIEF 8. Steven Toto shall pay the Department an administrative assessment in the amount of $35,000. Payment shall be made by certified check or money order payable to the “Department of Banking and Securities” and shall be mailed or delivered, in person, to the Bureau of Securities

3 Compliance and Examinations located at 17 N. Second Street, Suite 1300, Harrisburg, PA 17101. The assessment shall be paid as follows: a) $8,750 on or before June 28, 2025; b) $8,750 on or before December 28, 2025; c) $8,750 on or before June 28, 2026; and d) $8,750 on or before December 28, 2026. 9. Steven Toto is ordered to comply with the 1972 Act, and Regulations adopted by the Department, and in particular Regulation 304.012(a)(24), 10 Pa. Code § 304.012(a)(24). 10. Should Steven Toto fail to pay the assessment as set forth in paragraph 8 above, the sanctions set forth elsewhere in the Order shall continue in full force and effect until full payment is made. However, this provision shall not be construed as affording Steven Toto the option of either paying the assessment or being indefinitely subjected to sanctions. 11. Should Steven Toto fail to comply with any and all provisions of this Order, the Department may impose additional sanctions and costs and seek other appropriate relief subject to Steven Toto’s right to a hearing pursuant to the 1972 Act. FURTHER PROVISIONS 12. Consent. Steven Toto hereby knowingly, willingly, voluntarily and irrevocably consents to the entry of this Order pursuant to the Bureau’s authority under the 1972 Act and agrees that it understands all of the terms and conditions contained herein. Steven Toto, by voluntarily entering into this Order, waives any right to a hearing or appeal concerning the terms, conditions and/or penalties set forth in this Order. 13. Entire Agreement. This Order contains the entire agreement between the Department and Steven Toto. There are no other terms, obligations, covenants, representations,

4 statements, conditions, or otherwise, of any kind whatsoever concerning this Order. This Order may be amended in writing by mutual agreement by the Department and Steven Toto. 14. Binding Nature. The Department and Steven Toto, and all officers, owners, directors, employees, heirs, and assigns of Steven Toto intend to be and are legally bound by the terms of this Order. 15. Counsel. This Order is entered into by the parties upon full opportunity for legal advice from legal counsel. 16. Effectiveness. Steven Toto hereby stipulates and agrees that the Order shall become effective on the date the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Banking and Securities Commission approves the order (“Effective Date”). 17. Other Enforcement Action. (a) The Department reserves all of its rights, duties, and authority to enforce all statutes, rules and regulations under its jurisdiction against Steven Toto in the future regarding all matters not resolved by this Order, except that the Department will not institute a proceeding against Steven Toto under Section 305(a) of the 1972 Act, 70 P.S. § 1-305(a), on the basis of any information obtained by the Department from the investigation by the Bureau of Steven Toto which formed the basis of this Order. (b) Steven Toto acknowledges and agrees that this Order is only binding upon the Department and not any other local, state or federal agency, department or office regarding matters within this Order. 18. Authorization. The parties below are authorized to execute this Order and legally bind their respective parties. 19. Counterparts. This Order may be executed in separate counterparts, by facsimile and by PDF.