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GROVE ELECTRONICS, LLC * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
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ORDER IMPOSING FINE DOCKET NO. CF-10-7745-S |
I. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
WHEREAS, the Banking Commissioner (“Commissioner”) is charged with the administration of Chapter 672a of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act (“Act”), and Sections 36b-31-2 to 36b-31-33, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (“Regulations”) promulgated under the Act;
WHEREAS, the Commissioner, through the Securities and Business Investments Division of the Department of Banking (“Department”), conducted an investigation into the activities of Grove Electronics, LLC d/b/a Chip Partners LLC (“Respondent”), pursuant to Section 36b-26(a) of the Act, to determine if Respondent had violated, was violating or was about to violate provisions of the Act or Regulations (“Investigation”);
WHEREAS, on November 23, 2010, based on the Investigation, the Commissioner, acting pursuant to Section 36b-27(a) of the 2010 Supplement to the General Statutes (“2010 Supplement”), as amended by Public Act 10-141, and Section 36b-27(d) of the 2010 Supplement, as amended by Public Act 10-141, issued an Order to Cease and Desist (“Order”), Notice of Intent to Fine and Notice of Right to Hearing against Respondent (collectively “Notice”), which Notice is incorporated by reference herein;
WHEREAS, the Commissioner alleged in the Notice that Respondent employed an agent of issuer on at least two occasions, absent registration. Such conduct constitutes a violation of Section 36b-6(b) of the Act, as amended by Public Act 10-141, which forms a basis for an order to cease and desist to be issued to Respondent under Section 36b-27(a) of the 2010 Supplement, as amended, and for the imposition of a fine against Respondent under Section 36b-27(d) of the 2010 Supplement, as amended;
WHEREAS, the Notice stated, inter alia, that the Commissioner intended to impose a fine against Respondent, that Respondent would be afforded an opportunity for a hearing on the allegations set forth in the Notice if a written request for a hearing was received by the Department within fourteen (14) days following Respondent’s receipt of the Notice, and that the Commissioner may order that the maximum fine be imposed upon Respondent if Respondent failed to request a hearing within the prescribed time period or failed to appear at any such hearing;
WHEREAS, on November 23, 2010, the Notice was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Respondent;
WHEREAS, on November 26, 2010, and December 2, 2010, Respondent received the Notice;
WHEREAS, Respondent has failed to request a hearing on the allegations set forth in the Notice within fourteen (14) days of its receipt;
WHEREAS, on December 14, 2010, a Certification was issued rendering the Order permanent as of December 11, 2010, which Certification is incorporated by reference herein;
WHEREAS, Section 36a-1-31(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies provides, in pertinent part, that:
When a party fails to request a hearing within the time specified in the notice, the allegations against the party may be deemed admitted. Without further proceedings or notice to the party, the commissioner shall issue a final decision in accordance with section 4-180 of the Connecticut General Statutes and section 36a-1-52 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, provided the commissioner may, if deemed necessary, receive evidence from the department, as part of the record, concerning the appropriateness of the amount of any . . . fine . . . sought in the notice.
WHEREAS, Section 36b-31(a) of the Act, as amended by Public Act 10-141, provides, in pertinent part, that “[t]he commissioner may from time to time make . . . such . . . orders as are necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 36b-2 to 36b-34, inclusive”;
AND WHEREAS, Section 36b-31(b) of the Act, as amended by Public Act 10-141, provides, in pertinent part, that “[n]o . . . order may be made . . . unless the commissioner finds that the action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors and consistent with the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of sections 36b-2 to 36b-34, inclusive.”
II. FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
| 1. | The Commissioner finds that the facts as set forth in paragraphs 6 through 15, inclusive, of the Notice, shall constitute findings of fact within the meaning of Section 4-180(c) of the General Statutes of Connecticut and Section 36a-1-52 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, and that the Statutory Basis for Order to Cease and Desist and Order Imposing Fine Against Respondent set forth in paragraphs 16 and 17 of the Notice shall constitute conclusions of law within the meaning of Section 4-180(c) of the General Statutes of Connecticut and Section 36a-1-52 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. |
| 2. | The Commissioner finds that Respondent committed one violation of Section 36b-6(b) of the Act, as amended. |
| 3. | The Commissioner finds that the facts require the imposition of a fine against Respondent. |
| 4. |
The Commissioner complied with Section 36b-27 of the 2010 Supplement, as amended, and Section 4-177 of the General Statutes of Connecticut. |
| 5. | The Commissioner finds that the imposition of a fine against Respondent is necessary and appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors and consistent with the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of Sections 36b-2 to 36b-34, inclusive, of the Act. |
III. ORDER
Having read the record, I hereby ORDER, pursuant to Section 36b-27(d) of the 2010 Supplement, as amended, that:
| 1. | A fine of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) be imposed against Grove Electronics, LLC d/b/a Chip Partners LLC to be remitted to the Department by cashier’s check, certified check or money order, made payable to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut”, no later than Forty-five (45) days from the date the Order Imposing Fine is mailed; and |
| 2. |
This Order Imposing Fine shall become final when mailed. |
| Dated at Hartford, Connecticut, | ______/s/__________ | |
| this 22nd day of December 2010. | Howard F. Pitkin | |
| Banking Commissioner |
This Order was sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested, to
Respondent on December 23, 2010.
Grove Electronics, LLC
d/b/a Chip Partners LLC
197 Main Street, Suite 206
North Reading, MA 01864
Certified mail no. 7010 1870 0001 3619 4356
Grove Electronics, LLC
d/b/a Chip Partners LLC
c/o Brian O’Donnell, Agent
1 Whitcomb Way
North Reading, MA 01864-2833
Certified mail no. 7010 1870 0001 3619 4363