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STATE OF
OFFICE OF SECURITIES
121 STATE HOUSE STATION
AUGUSTA, ME 04333
CONSENT ORDER
04-098-CON
1.
At all
relevant times, it has been unlawful for any person to act in this State as an
investment adviser unless licensed or exempt from licensing under section 10303
of the Revised Maine Securities Act, 32 M.R.S.A. §§ 10101-10710 ("the
Act"). This section and other
provisions of the Act are superseded by similar provisions in the Maine Uniform
Securities Act for conduct occurring on or after December 31, 2005.
2.
At all
relevant times, it has been unlawful under section 10203 of the Act for any
investment adviser to employ, directly or indirectly, any device, scheme or
artifice to defraud any client or engage in any act, practice or course of
business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any client.
3.
Larry Robert
Balliet (“Balliet”) is an individual who has been at all relevant times a
4.
Balliet was
licensed in
5.
Between 1998 and
2003, Balliet served as the investment adviser for eight clients with respect
to their accounts at Rydex Investments (“Rydex”), a Maryland-based company that
offers and sells its own mutual funds. Balliet set up these accounts for his clients and,
in doing so, indicated to Rydex that he was authorized to act as their
investment adviser and withdraw advisory fees from their accounts.
6.
In 1999 and
2000, Balliet withdrew $14,782 in advisory fees from seven of the eight Rydex
accounts, including $6,002.20 in advisory fees from one of those seven
accounts, held by a resident of
7.
On or about
October 1, 1999, Balliet sent a letter to the
8.
In or about December of 2002, Balliet discussed with
the
9. At all relevant times, the Aptus note was not registered as a security with the Maine Office of Securities (the “Office”).
10. Balliet
did not adequately disclose to the
11. It is the Office’s position that Balliet’s
conduct with respect to the Rydex accounts violated sections 10303 and 10203 of
the Act. Specifically, it is the
Office’s position that Balliet violated section 10303 of the Act by providing
investment advice for compensation at times when he was not licensed in
12. It is the Office’s position that the offer
and sale of the Aptus note to the
13. To the extent that Balliet was acting as Aptus’ sales representative in connection with the sale of the note, he is liable for the violations of the Act listed above and is also liable under section 10301 of the Act for having transacted business in Maine as a sales representative without being licensed or exempt from licensing under that section. Balliet has represented, however, that he did not receive compensation in connection with the Aptus transaction and that he had no expectation or agreement with respect to such compensation.
14. Balliet admits that he violated section
10303 of the Act by providing investment advice for compensation at times when
he was not licensed in
15. The Office and Balliet desire an expeditious resolution of this matter.
16. The Office has agreed to the terms of this order based in part upon information provided by Balliet regarding his conduct and financial condition. If this information is later determined to have been materially inaccurate, the Securities Administrator may, in his sole and unreviewable discretion, declare this Consent Order to be null and void.
17. The Office has agreed to the terms of this Consent Order based in part on certain proof that Balliet has represented he will provide to the Office with respect to the other Rydex investors. If Balliet does not provide this proof to the Office of Securities within 90 days of the execution of this Consent Order, the Securities Administrator may, in his sole and unreviewable discretion, declare this Consent Order to be null and void.
18. The Office agrees not to take further action against Balliet based solely on the allegations contained in this Consent Order, provided, however, that the Office is not precluded from taking action based on other allegations, or from taking this Consent Order and its underlying allegations into account in determining the proper resolution of such other allegations.
19. Without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law, Balliet waives his right to a hearing and to judicial review and consents to the entry of this order.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is ORDERED as follows:
1. Balliet shall permanently CEASE AND DESIST from violating any provisions of the Maine Uniform Securities Act, including the prohibitions against acting as an unlicensed investment adviser or sales representative and offering or selling unregistered securities, and also including the antifraud provisions of sections 16501 and 16502 of the Act;
2. Balliet shall pay $10,000 in restitution to the Portland resident, with $4,000 to be paid no later than the date this order is executed, and $6,000 to be paid in 36 monthly installments, the first payment being due by March 1, 2006, and each subsequent payment being due by the first day of each subsequent month, and all payments to be made via checks made payable to “Treasurer, State of Maine” and delivered by the due date to the Office of Securities, which shall distribute the funds to the Portland resident; and
3. If Balliet fails to make any restitution payment as set forth above, all remaining restitution shall become immediately due and owing.
Balliet hereby waives his right to a hearing and to judicial review and consents to entry of the order set forth above.
Date: February 18, 2006 s/Larry Robert Balliet
Larry Robert Balliet
Ordered by:
Date: February 21, 2006 s/Michael J. Colleran
Michael J. Colleran
Securities Administrator
Reviewed by:
Date: February 21, 2006 s/Bonnie E. Russell
Bonnie E. Russell
Assistant Securities Administrator
Presented by:
Date: February 21, 2006 s/Michael W. Atleson
Michael W. Atleson
Staff Attorney