WHEREAS, the Banking Commissioner (“Commissioner”) is charged with the administration of Sections 36a-671 to 36a-671e, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes contained in Part II of Chapter 669 of the Connecticut General Statutes, “Debt Adjusters and Debt Negotiation”;

WHEREAS, the Commissioner, through the Consumer Credit Division of the Department of Banking (“Department”), conducted an investigation of the activities of Respondent, pursuant to the authority granted by Section 36a-17(a) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes, as amended by Public Act 12-96, to determine if it had violated, was violating or was about to violate the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner;

WHEREAS, on February 1, 2013, the Commissioner, acting pursuant to Section 36a-52(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended by Public Act 12-96, Section 36a-671a(b) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes, Section 36a-52(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended by Public Act 12-96, issued a Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Order to Make Restitution (“Order to Make Restitution”), Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing (collectively “Order and Notice”) against Respondent, which Order and Notice is incorporated herein by reference;

WHEREAS, on February 5, 2013, the Order and Notice was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Respondent (Certified Mail Nos. 70121010000172645601, 70121010000172645618, 70121010000172645625, 70121010000172645632, 70121010000172645649, 70121010000172645656 and 70121010000172645755), and to Respondent’s agent (Certified Mail No. 70121010000172645663);

WHEREAS, the Order and Notice provided Respondent with the opportunity for a hearing, and stated that if a hearing was not requested by Respondent within 14 days of Respondent’s receipt, the Order to Make Restitution shall remain in effect and become permanent against Respondent and the Commissioner would issue an order that Respondent cease and desist from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes, and may order a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per violation be imposed upon Respondent;

WHEREAS, on February 7, 2013, Respondent’s agent received the Order and Notice;

WHEREAS, on February 8, 2013, Respondent received the Order and Notice sent by Certified Mail No. 70121010000172645755; on February 9, 2013, the Order and Notice sent by Certified Mail No. 70121010000172645649; and on February 11, 2013, the Order and Notice sent by Certified Mail Nos. 70121010000172645625 and 70121010000172645632, and no request for a hearing was received by the Commissioner;

WHEREAS, the Commissioner alleged in the Order and Notice, with respect to the activity described therein, that Respondent’s engaging in debt negotiation in this state without obtaining the required license constitutes a violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes.  Such violation forms the basis to issue an order to cease and desist pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes and Section 36a-52(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, issue an order to make restitution pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes and Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and impose a civil penalty pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes and Section 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended;

WHEREAS, also in the Order and Notice, the Commissioner ordered, pursuant to Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, that not later than 45 days from the date the Order to Make Restitution becomes permanent, Respondent repay a specified amount plus interest to identified Connecticut residents and to any other Connecticut residents who entered into an agreement for debt negotiation services with Respondent on and after October 1, 2009, repay fees paid by such residents plus interest and provide evidence of such repayment to the Director of the Consumer Credit Division; 

WHEREAS, the Order to Make Restitution remains in effect and became permanent against Respondent on February 23, 2013;

WHEREAS, Section 36a-52(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes provides, in pertinent part, that “[i]f the person does not request a hearing within the time specified in the notice or fails to appear at the hearing, the commissioner shall issue an order to cease and desist against the person.  No such order shall be issued except in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54”;

WHEREAS, Section 36a-50(a)(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, provides, in pertinent part, that “[i]f such person does not request a hearing within the time specified in the notice or fails to appear at the hearing, the commissioner may, as the facts require, order that a civil penalty not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars per violation be imposed upon such person”;

WHEREAS, Section 36a-50(a)(3) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, provides, in pertinent part, that “[e]ach action undertaken by the commissioner under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54”;

AND WHEREAS, Section 36a-1-31(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies provides, in pertinent part, that “[w]hen 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”.

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