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IN THE MATTER OF: VISION TRAVEL, INC. a/k/a ("Respondent") * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
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ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST NOTICE OF INTENT TO FINE AND NOTICE OF RIGHT TO HEARING DOCKET NO. CF-2008-844-B |
I. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
| 1. | The Banking Commissioner (“Commissioner”) is charged with the administration of Chapter 672c of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Connecticut Business Opportunity Investment Act (“Act”). |
| 2. |
Pursuant to Section 36b-71(a) of the Act, the Commissioner, through the Securities and Business Investments Division (“Division”) of the Department of Banking, has conducted an investigation into the activities of Respondent, its officers, agents, representatives and employees to determine if any of them have violated, are violating or are about to violate provisions of the Act. Section 36b-71(a) of the Act provides, in pertinent part: Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, the commissioner may: (1) Make such public or private investigations within or outside of this state as he deems necessary to determine whether any person has violated or is about to violate any provision of sections 36b-60 to 36b-80, inclusive, . . . or to aid in the enforcement of said sections . . . . |
| 3. |
As a result of the investigation by the Division, the Commissioner has reason to believe that Respondent has violated certain provisions of the Act. |
| 4. |
As a result of the investigation by the Division, the Commissioner has the authority to issue a cease and desist order against Respondent pursuant to Section 36b-72(a) of the Act which provides, in pertinent part:
Whenever it appears to the commissioner, after an investigation, that any person or persons have violated, are violating or are about to violate any of the provisions of sections 36b-60 to 36b-80, inclusive, . . . or that a further sale or offer to sell would constitute a violation of said sections, . . . the commissioner may order the person or persons to cease and desist from the violations of the provisions of said sections . . . or from further sale or offering to sell business opportunities constituting or which would constitute a violation of the provisions of said sections . . . . After any such order is issued, the person or persons named in such order may, within fourteen days after receipt of the order, file a written request for a hearing. Such hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. |
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As a result of the investigation by the Division, the Commissioner has the authority to impose a fine on Respondent pursuant to Section 36b-72(b) of the Act which, prior to October 1, 2006, provided, in pertinent part:
(1) Whenever it appears to the commissioner that any person or persons have violated any of the provisions of sections 36b-60 to 36b-80, inclusive, . . . the commissioner may send a notice to such person or persons by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any express delivery carrier that provides a dated delivery receipt. Any such notice shall include: (A) A reference to the title, chapter, regulation, rule or order alleged to have been violated; (B) a short and plain statement of the matter asserted or charged; (C) the maximum fine that may be imposed for such violation; and (D) the time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall be fixed for a date not earlier than fourteen days after the notice is mailed. (2) The commissioner shall hold a hearing upon the charges made unless such person or persons fail to appear at the hearing. Such hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. After the hearing if the commissioner finds that the person or persons have violated any of the provisions of sections 36b-60 to 36b-80, inclusive, . . . the commissioner may, in the commissioner’s discretion and in addition to any other remedy authorized by said sections, order that a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars per violation be imposed upon such person or persons. If such person or persons fail to appear at the hearing, the commissioner may, as the facts require, order that a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars per violation be imposed upon such person or persons. The commissioner shall send a copy of any order issued pursuant to this subsection by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any express delivery carrier that provides a dated delivery receipt, to any person or persons named in such order. Section 36b-72(b) of the Act currently provides, in pertinent part:
(1) Whenever the commissioner finds as the result of an investigation that any person or persons have violated any of the provisions of sections 36b-60 to 36b-80, inclusive, . . . the commissioner may send a notice to such person or persons by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any express delivery carrier that provides a dated delivery receipt. Any such notice shall include: (A) A reference to the title, chapter, regulation, rule or order alleged to have been violated; (B) a short and plain statement of the matter asserted or charged; (C) the maximum fine that may be imposed for such violation; and (D) the time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall be fixed for a date not earlier than fourteen days after the notice is mailed. (2) The commissioner shall hold a hearing upon the charges made unless such person or persons fail to appear at the hearing. Such hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. After the hearing if the commissioner finds that the person or persons have violated any of the provisions of sections 36b-60 to 36b-80, inclusive, . . . the commissioner may, in addition to any other remedy authorized by said sections, order that a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars per violation be imposed upon such person or persons. If such person or persons fail to appear at the hearing, the commissioner may, as the facts require, order that a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars per violation be imposed upon such person or persons. The commissioner shall send a copy of any order issued pursuant to this subsection by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any express delivery carrier that provides a dated delivery receipt, to any person or persons named in such order.
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II. RESPONDENT | |
| 6. |
Respondent is, and at all times relevant hereto was, a Puerto Rico corporation with its principal place of business at First Street, Suite 304, Metro Office Park #7, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968.
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III. STATEMENT OF FACTS | |
| 7. | Respondent sells the products, equipment, supplies or services necessary to enable a purchaser to start a multi-level marketing, virtual travel agency in which purchasers earn income by selling travel services and recruiting new purchasers of the opportunity (“Vision Opportunity”). |
| 8. | Respondent represents to prospective purchasers that, inter alia, “Vision Travel has developed the most advanced tool which will permit you make your dreams come true: owner (sic) your own business in one of the world’s most lucrative businesses; earn a lot of money and travel at the same time”. Further, Respondent represents that “[w]ith the assistance of an excellent management tool, which is your own personalized webpage, you can learn your business’ activity, the quantity of sales, the number of people navigating your webpage, wholesale rates, special offers, get news from tourist operators, find out about the different FAM trips and keep your clients information up to date plus learn about their preferences”. Respondent also represents that “[w]e create business opportunities and benefits to all our affiliates through a successful combination: Internet, tourism and personal development; providing all the necessary tools so they can act in accordance with the goals you yourself want to achieve. We provide the most advanced technology that will carry out every task our affiliates would like to take in”. Finally, Respondent represents that, among other training workshops, it will provide a Vision Travel Basic Workshop where “[y]ou will learn to know the Virtual Travel Agency in depth during 8 hours of training”. |
| 9. | From at least August 16 to November 3, 2006, Respondent, through its agents, offered and sold the Vision Opportunity to at least one Connecticut purchaser prior to October 1, 2006, and to at least seven Connecticut purchasers on or after October 1, 2006. |
| 10. |
At the time such offers and sales were made, the Vision Opportunity was not registered as a business opportunity in Connecticut and no registration for the Vision Opportunity as a business opportunity had been declared effective by order of the Commissioner under Sections 36b-60 to 36b-80, inclusive, of the Act, nor was the Vision Opportunity sold in conjunction with a federally-registered trademark or service mark.
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IV. STATUTORY BASIS FOR ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST AND
ORDER IMPOSING FINE AGAINST RESPONDENT a. The Vision Opportunity Offered by Respondent is a Business Opportunity | |
| 11. | Paragraphs 1 through 10, inclusive, are incorporated and made a part hereof as if more fully set forth herein. |
| 12. | The eight Connecticut purchasers are “purchaser-investor[s]” within the meaning of Section 36b-61(3) of the Act, in that they are “person[s] who . . . [had] purchased . . . a business opportunity”. |
| 13. | Respondent is a “seller” within the meaning of Section 36b-61(4) of the Act, in that it “engaged in the business of . . . offering for sale business opportunities . . .”. |
| 14. |
The Vision Opportunity constitutes a “business opportunity” as defined in Section 36b-61(6) of the Act in that it involves “the sale . . . or offer for sale . . . of any products, equipment, supplies or services which are sold or offered for sale to the purchaser-investor for the purpose of enabling the purchaser-investor to start a business, and in which the seller represents . . . (D) that the seller will provide a sales program or marketing program to the purchaser-investor . . .”.
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b. Violation of Section 36b-67 of the Act – | |
| 15. | Paragraphs 1 through 14, inclusive, are incorporated and made a part hereof as if more fully set forth herein. |
| 16. | Section 36b-67 of the Act provides, in pertinent part, that “[n]o person shall in connection with the sale or offer for sale of a business opportunity: (1) Sell or offer for sale a business opportunity in this state or from this state unless it has first been registered with the commissioner and declared effective by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of section 36b-62”. |
| 17. |
Respondent sold the Vision Opportunity to at least eight Connecticut purchaser-investors, as more fully described in paragraph 9. The sale of such a business opportunity absent registration and absent the Commissioner having declared the business opportunity effective constitutes a violation of Section 36b-67(1) of the Act, which forms a basis for an order to cease and desist to be issued against Respondent under Section 36b-72(a) of the Act, and for the imposition of a fine against Respondent under Section 36b-72(b) of the Act. Section 36b-72(b) of the Act prior to October 1, 2006, authorized the Commissioner to impose a fine upon Respondent in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) per violation for violations occurring prior to October 1, 2006. Section 36b-72(b) of the Act currently authorizes the Commissioner to impose a fine upon Respondent in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per violation for violations occurring on or after October 1, 2006. The Commissioner intends to impose a fine upon Respondent not to exceed Seven Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($710,000), subject to Respondent’s right to a hearing on the allegations set forth above.
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V. ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST AND NOTICE OF RIGHT TO HEARING
AS A RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATION BY THE DIVISION, THE COMMISSIONER FINDS that, with respect to the transactions described herein, Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel has violated Section 36b-67(1) of the Act, and that further offers to sell or sales of business opportunities in Connecticut would constitute violations of Section 36b-67(1) of the Act.
THE COMMISSIONER THEREFORE ORDERS that Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel CEASE AND DESIST from directly or indirectly violating the provisions of the Act and from the further sale or offer to sell business opportunities constituting or which would constitute a violation of the provisions of the Act, including, without limitation, offering or selling unregistered business opportunities.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS that, pursuant to Section 36b-72(a) of the Act, Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel will be afforded an opportunity for a hearing on the allegations set forth above.
A hearing will be granted to Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel if a written request for a hearing is received by the Department of Banking, Legal Division, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800 within fourteen (14) days following its receipt of this Order. The enclosed Appearance and Request for Hearing Form must be completed and mailed to the above address. If Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel will not be represented by an attorney at the hearing, please complete the Appearance and Request for Hearing Form as “pro se”. Once a written request for a hearing is received, the Commissioner may issue a notification of hearing and designation of hearing officer that acknowledges receipt of a request for a hearing, designates a presiding officer and sets the date of the hearing in accordance with Section 4-177 of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 36a-1-21 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If a hearing is requested, the hearing will be held on September 23, 2008, at 9 a.m., at the Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut.
THE COMMISSIONER THEREFORE ORDERS that Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel CEASE AND DESIST from directly or indirectly violating the provisions of the Act and from the further sale or offer to sell business opportunities constituting or which would constitute a violation of the provisions of the Act, including, without limitation, offering or selling unregistered business opportunities.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS that, pursuant to Section 36b-72(a) of the Act, Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel will be afforded an opportunity for a hearing on the allegations set forth above.
A hearing will be granted to Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel if a written request for a hearing is received by the Department of Banking, Legal Division, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800 within fourteen (14) days following its receipt of this Order. The enclosed Appearance and Request for Hearing Form must be completed and mailed to the above address. If Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel will not be represented by an attorney at the hearing, please complete the Appearance and Request for Hearing Form as “pro se”. Once a written request for a hearing is received, the Commissioner may issue a notification of hearing and designation of hearing officer that acknowledges receipt of a request for a hearing, designates a presiding officer and sets the date of the hearing in accordance with Section 4-177 of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 36a-1-21 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If a hearing is requested, the hearing will be held on September 23, 2008, at 9 a.m., at the Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut.
The hearing will be held in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes. At such hearing, Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel will have the right to appear and present evidence, rebuttal evidence and argument on all issues of fact and law to be considered by the Commissioner.
This Order shall remain in effect and become permanent if Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel does not request a hearing within the prescribed time period.
VI. NOTICE OF INTENT TO FINE RESPONDENT AND NOTICE OF HEARING
WHEREAS, the Commissioner finds as a result of an investigation by the Division that Respondent has violated Section 36b-67(1) of the Act;
WHEREAS, the Commissioner believes that the imposition of a fine upon Respondent would be in the public interest and consistent with the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act;
AND WHEREAS, notice is hereby given to Respondent that the Commissioner intends to impose a fine not to exceed Seven Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($710,000) for one violation of Section 36b-67(1) of the Act prior to October 1, 2006, and seven violations of Section 36b-67(1) of the Act on or after October 1, 2006.
NOW THEREFORE, a hearing will be held in accordance with Section 36b-72(b)(2) of the Act and Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
The hearing will be held on September 23, 2008, at 9 a.m., at the Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut.
At the hearing, Respondent will have the right to appear and present evidence, rebuttal evidence and argument on all issues of fact and law relating to the allegations stated herein. If Respondent fails to appear at such hearing, the Commissioner may order that the maximum fine be imposed upon Respondent.
Dated at Hartford, Connecticut
this 15th day of August 2008. _________/s/__________
this 15th day of August 2008. _________/s/__________
Howard F. Pitkin
Banking Commissioner
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that on this 18th day of August 2008, the foregoing Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Fine and Notice of Right to Hearing was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Vision Travel, Inc. d/b/a Global Vision Travel, First Street, Suite 304, Metro Office Park #7, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968, certified mail no. 70031680000085236182; and to its counsel, Ortiz-Ortiz, Ocasio-Rivera & Assc., 380 Escorial Avenue, Caparra Heights, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920, certified mail no. 70031680000085236199; and P. O. Box 364186, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936, certified mail no. 70031680000085236205.
_________/s/__________
Jesse B. Silverman
Prosecuting Attorney
Jesse B. Silverman
Prosecuting Attorney