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 (“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 Christos Christoforou (“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 December 21, 2012, based on the Investigation, the Commissioner, acting pursuant to Sections 36b-27(a) and 36b-27(d) of the Act, issued an Order to Cease and Desist, 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 transacted business as a broker-dealer agent in Connecticut absent registration.  Such conduct constitutes a violation of Section 36b-6(a) of the Act, which forms a basis for an order to cease and desist to be issued against Respondent under Section 36b-27(a) of the Act, and for the imposition of a fine upon Respondent under Section 36b-27(d) of the Act;

WHEREAS, the Commissioner alleged in the Notice that Respondent transacted business as an agent of issuer in Connecticut absent registration.  Such conduct constitutes a violation of Section 36b-6(a) of the Act, which forms a basis for an order to cease and desist to be issued against Respondent under Section 36b-27(a) of the Act, and for the imposition of a fine upon Respondent under Section 36b-27(d) of the Act;

WHEREAS, the Commissioner alleged in the Notice that Respondent offered and sold securities in Connecticut to at least six investors, which securities were not registered in Connecticut under the Act.  The offer and sale of such securities absent registration constitutes a violation of Section 36b-16 of the Act, which forms a basis for an order to cease and desist to be issued against Respondent under Section 36b-27(a) of the Act, and for the imposition of a fine upon Respondent under Section 36b-27(d) of the Act;

WHEREAS, the Commissioner alleged in the Notice that the conduct of Respondent constitutes, in connection with the offer, sale or purchase of any security, directly or indirectly employing a device, scheme or artifice to defraud, making an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, or engaging in an act, practice or course of business which operates as a fraud or deceit upon any person.  Such conduct constitutes a violation of Section 36b-4(a) of the Act, which forms a basis for an order to cease and desist to be issued against Respondent under Section 36b-27(a) of the Act, and for the imposition of a fine upon Respondent under Section 36b-27(d) of the Act;

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 December 21, 2012, the Notice was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Respondent;

WHEREAS, on December 24, 2012, 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 January 9, 2013, a Certification was issued rendering the Order to Cease and Desist permanent as of January 8, 2013, 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:

WHEREAS, Section 36b-31(a) of the Act 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 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

III.  ORDER

Having read the record, I hereby ORDER, pursuant to Section 36b-27(d) of the Act, that:

This Order was sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested, to
Respondent on January 10, 2013.

Christos Christoforou 
61 Fair Street
Norwalk, CT 06851
Certified mail no. 7012 1010 0001 7264 6172                    

Administrative Orders and Settlements