2020-07-24
Added · Updated
Monitor Capital, LLC agrees to pay $6,720 to the State of Connecticut, comprising a $5,000 administrative fine and $1,720 in past due registration fees, to settle allegations that it operated as an unregistered investment adviser. The settlement requires the firm to register as an investment adviser and prohibits future violations of the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act. The agreement is executed in lieu of administrative proceedings and becomes binding upon signature by the Banking Commissioner.
IN THE MATTER OF: * STIPULATION AND AGREEMENT * MONITOR CAPITAL, LLC * NO. ST-20-202013-S CRD NO. 146087 * *
WHEREAS, Monitor Capital, LLC (“Monitor”) is a broker-dealer located at 8 Soundshore Drive, Greenwich, Connecticut. Monitor has been registered as a broker-dealer under Chapter 672a of the General Statutes of Connecticut, the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act (“Act”), from April 9, 2008 to the present, and has no reported disciplinary history; WHEREAS, the Banking Commissioner (“Commissioner”) is charged with the administration of the Act and Sections 36b-31-2 to 36b-31-33, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (“Regulations”) promulgated under the Act; WHEREAS, Monitor does not conduct any retail broker dealer business, but is a third-party marketing and introducing placement agent for funds managed by investment advisers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); WHEREAS, in May 2019, the staff of the Securities and Business Investments Division (“Division”) of the Department of Banking (“Department”) conducted an examination of Monitor (“Examination”); WHEREAS, during the Examination, the Division ascertained that in June 2016, Monitor referred an entity (“Entity A”) to an SEC-registered investment adviser (“Adviser”), and as compensation for that referral, Monitor received compensation from Adviser in the form of a percentage of the management and performance fees Adviser charged Entity A;
2 - WHEREAS, by virtue of Monitor receiving compensation in the form of a percentage of management and performance fees Adviser charged Entity A, Monitor transacted business as an investment adviser in Connecticut without being registered under the Act; WHEREAS, on July 22, 2019, the Division advised Monitor in writing that its compensation structure relating to Entity A and Adviser required Monitor to be registered as an investment adviser under the Act, and thereafter, Monitor filed with the Commissioner an application for registration as an investment adviser pursuant to Sections 36b-7 and 36b-32 of the Act; WHEREAS, Section 36b-6(c)(1) of the Act provides, in pertinent part, that “[n]o person shall transact business in this state as an investment adviser unless registered as such by the commissioner as provided in sections 36b-2 to 36b-34, inclusive, or exempted pursuant to subsection (e) of this section; WHEREAS, the Commissioner believes that a violation of Section 36b-6(c)(1) of the Act would support the imposition of administrative proceedings against Monitor pursuant to Section 36b-15 and Section 36b-27 of the Act; WHEREAS, an administrative proceeding initiated under Section 36b-15 and Section 36b-27 of the Act would constitute a “contested case” within the meaning of Section 4-166(4) of the General Statutes of Connecticut; WHEREAS, Section 4-177(c) of the General Statutes of Connecticut and Section 36a-1-55(a) of the Regulations provide that a contested case may be resolved by stipulation or agreed settlement, unless precluded by law; WHEREAS, Monitor desires to settle the matters described herein and voluntarily enters into this Stipulation and Agreement; WHEREAS, the Commissioner and Monitor acknowledge that this Stipulation and Agreement is in lieu of any court action or administrative proceeding against Monitor, its members, officers, employees, agents or representatives adjudicating any issue of fact or law on the matters described herein and is being made to settle only the matters described herein;
3 - WHEREAS, without admitting or denying the allegations contained herein, Monitor expressly consents to the Commissioner’s jurisdiction under the Act and to the terms of this Stipulation and Agreement; WHEREAS, Monitor, through its execution of this Stipulation and Agreement, voluntarily waives any rights Monitor may have to seek judicial review or otherwise challenge or contest the terms and conditions of this Stipulation and Agreement; AND WHEREAS, Monitor specifically assures the Commissioner that the violation alleged in this Stipulation and Agreement shall not occur in the future. NOW THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HERETO DO MUTUALLY AGREE AS FOLLOWS: