State of Connecticut Department of Banking

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IN THE MATTER OF: 

NICHOLAS GEORGE TSIKITAS

CRD No. 2871712 
 
("Respondent")   

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CONSENT ORDER

DOCKET NO. CO-11-7942-S

I. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

WHEREAS, the Banking  Commissioner (“Commissioner”) is charged with the administration of Chapter 672a of the General Statutes of Connecticut, the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act (“Act”), and Sections 36b-31-2 to 36b-31-33, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies promulgated under the Act (“Regulations”);
WHEREAS, Respondent has been registered under the Act as a broker-dealer agent of A&F Financial Securities, Inc. (CRD No. 44791) since February 22, 2007;
WHEREAS, the Commissioner, through the Securities and Business Investments Division (“Division”) of the Department of Banking, conducted an investigation pursuant to Section 36b-26(a) of the Act into the activities of Respondent to determine if he had violated, was violating or was about to violate provisions of the Act or Regulations (“Investigation”);
WHEREAS, Section 36b-31(a) of the Act provides, in relevant 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”;
WHEREAS, Section 36b-31(b) of the Act provides, in relevant 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”;
WHEREAS, an administrative proceeding initiated under Sections 36b-15 and 36b-27 of the Act would constitute a “contested case” within the meaning of Section 4-166(2) 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 of Connecticut State Agencies provide that a contested case may be resolved by consent order, unless precluded by law;
WHEREAS, as a result of the Investigation, the Division obtained evidence that Respondent had caused certain documents to be filed with the Commissioner which were, at the time and in light of the circumstances under which they were made, false or misleading in a material respect.  The Commissioner has reason to believe that such conduct violates Section 36b-23 of the Act, and would support administrative proceedings against Respondent under Sections 36b-15 and 36b-27 of the Act;
WHEREAS, the issuance of this Consent Order 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 the Act;
WHEREAS, without holding a hearing and without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law, and prior to the initiation of any formal proceeding, the Commissioner and Respondent reached an agreement, the terms of which are reflected in this Consent Order, in full and final resolution of the matters described herein;
AND WHEREAS, Respondent, through his execution of this Consent Order, represents and agrees that none of the alleged violations in this Consent Order shall occur in the future.   

II. CONSENT TO WAIVER OF PROCEDURAL RIGHTS

WHEREAS, Respondent, through his execution of this Consent Order, voluntarily waives the following rights:

1. To be afforded notice and an opportunity for a hearing within the meaning of Sections 36b-15(f) and 36b-27 of the Act and Section 4-177(a) of the General Statutes of Connecticut;
2. To present evidence and argument and to otherwise avail himself of Sections 36b-15(f) and 36b-27 of the Act and Section 4-177c(a) of the General Statutes of Connecticut;
3. To present his position in a hearing in which he is represented by counsel;
4. To have a written record of the hearing made and a written decision issued by a hearing officer; and
5. To seek judicial review of, or otherwise challenge or contest, the matters described herein, including the validity of this Consent Order.

III. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER'S ALLEGATIONS

WHEREAS, Respondent, through his execution of this Consent Order, acknowledges the following allegations of the Commissioner, without admitting or denying them, yet admits sufficient evidence exists for the Commissioner to issue:  (a) a permanent order to cease and desist, (b) an order revoking Respondent’s registration as a broker-dealer agent in Connecticut, and (c) an order imposing a maximum administrative fine of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) per violation of the Act, or any regulation, rule or order adopted or issued thereunder:

   Respondent violated Section 36b-23 of the Act and made material misrepresentations by causing certain documents to be filed with the Commissioner which were, at the time and in light of the circumstances under which they were made, false or misleading in a material respect;

WHEREAS, the Commissioner would have the authority to enter findings of fact and conclusions of law after granting Respondent an opportunity for a hearing;

AND WHEREAS, Respondent acknowledges the possible consequences of an administrative hearing and voluntarily agrees to consent to the entry of the sanctions described below.

IV. CONSENT TO ENTRY OF SANCTIONS

WHEREAS, Respondent, through his execution of this Consent Order, consents to the Commissioner’s entry of a Consent Order imposing the following sanctions:

1. Respondent shall cease and desist from engaging in conduct constituting or which would constitute a violation of the Act or any regulation or order under the Act, either directly or through any person, organization or other device; and
2. Respondent is hereby Censured.

V. CONSENT ORDER

NOW THEREFORE, the Commissioner enters the following:

1. The Sanctions set forth above be and are hereby entered;
2. Entry of this Consent Order by the Commissioner is without prejudice to the right of the Commissioner to take enforcement action against Respondent based upon a violation of this Consent Order or the matters underlying its entry, if the Commissioner determines that compliance with the terms herein is not being observed; and
3. This Consent Order shall become final when issued.


Issued at Hartford, Connecticut,      _______/s/_________
this 18th day of July 2011.      Howard F. Pitkin 
Banking Commissioner 


CONSENT TO ENTRY OF ORDER

I, Nicholas George Tsikitas, state that I have read the foregoing Consent Order; that I know and fully understand its contents; that I agree freely and without threat or coercion of any kind to comply with the terms and conditions stated herein; and that I consent to the issuance of this Consent Order.

         
______/s/_________________
Nicholas George Tsikitas



State of:  New York

County of:  Nassau


On this the 21st day of June 2011, before me, Ian J. Frimet, the undersigned officer, personally appeared Nicholas George Tsikitas, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes therein contained.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

_____/s/__________________________________
Notary Public/Commissioner of the Superior Court
Date Commission Expires:  February 8, 2013


  

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