2017-01-17 SEC Press pdf 115 KB 14,967 chars

In re ADAMS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

summary

Adams Capital Management, Inc. violated the SEC’s pay-to-play rule by earning advisory fees from a venture fund holding Pennsylvania SERS investments within two years after a covered associate made $500 campaign contributions to the state’s Treasurer and Governor—officials who influenced SERS selections—leading to a cease-and-desist order, $45,000 penalty, and censure.

paragraph

Adams Capital Management, Inc., an exempt reporting adviser, violated Rule 206(4)-5 of the Investment Advisers Act by receiving compensation for advisory services to a venture capital fund in which the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) remained invested, following two $500 campaign contributions by a covered associate to Pennsylvania’s Treasurer and Governor. Both officials held direct influence over SERS investment decisions, triggering the rule’s automatic two-year prohibition regardless of intent or refund of one contribution. The SEC imposed a cease-and-desist order, a $45,000 civil penalty, and censure, with Adams Capital consenting without admitting or denying the findings and agreeing not to seek penalty offsets in related litigation.

narrative

Adams Capital Management, Inc., an exempt reporting adviser based in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, violated the SEC’s pay-to-play rule (Rule 206(4)-5) by continuing to receive advisory fees from Adams Capital Management III, L.P.—a venture fund in which the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) had a $30 million investment—within two years of campaign contributions made by a covered associate. In January 2014 and August 2014, the associate contributed $500 each to the Pennsylvania Treasurer and Governor, both of whom had authority to influence SERS investment decisions, including the selection of advisers. Although the August 2014 contribution was later refunded, the rule’s prohibition remained in effect because the refund occurred after the contribution was made and did not negate the violation. Adams Capital earned advisory fees during this prohibited period, constituting a willful violation of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act. The SEC issued a cease-and-desist order, imposed a $45,000 civil penalty, and required censure, with Adams Capital consenting to the sanctions without admitting or denying the findings. The firm also agreed not to seek any offset of the penalty in related investor litigation, acknowledging the strict liability nature of the rule regardless of intent or quid pro quo.

Enriched metadata

Scheme
corporate-fraud (92%)
Outcome
settled
Civil penalty
$45,000
Victim loss
$217,000,000
Classified corporate-fraud(confidence 92%). EDGAR detection: forms 10-K/10-Q/8-K· recall 56% / precision 8%. detection rule →
Statutes
31 U.S.C. §3717SECTIONS 203(e) AND 203(k) OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACTSECTIONS 203(e) AND 203(k) OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACTSection 3(a) of the Investment Company ActSection 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company ActSection 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company ActRule 204-4
Parties
Securities and Exchange CommissionADAMS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
Keywords
investmentadvisersrespondentadams capitalinvestment advisersgovernment entitycommissioninvestment advisergovernmentadvisercapitalcoveredcovered associateentityadams

Extracted insights

Dollar amounts 6
  • $217.00M $217 million $100M–$1B
  • $30.00M $30 million $10M–$100M
  • $45K $45,000 $10K–$100K
  • $500 $500 <$10K
  • $350 $350 <$10K
  • $150 $150 <$10K
Entities 3
  • company adams capital management, inc.
  • company covered associate of adams capital
  • agency Securities and Exchange Commission
Triples 9
  • Adams Capital Management, Inc. violated Section 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5
  • Adams Capital Management, Inc. violated pay-to-play rule for investment advisers
  • Covered Associate of Adams Capital made $500 campaign contribution in January 2014
  • Covered Associate of Adams Capital made $500 campaign contribution in August 2014
  • Adams Capital Management, Inc. provided advisory services for compensation to Pennsylvania public pension fund within two years of campaign contributions
  • Adams Capital Management, Inc. is located in Sewickley, Pennsylvania
  • Adams Capital Management, Inc. reports to SEC as exempt reporting adviser under Section 204(a) of the Investment Advisers Act
  • SEC instituted proceedings against Adams Capital Management, Inc. on January 17, 2017
  • Adams Capital Management, Inc. is investment adviser to venture capital funds investing in early-stage technology companies
Text layers
Extracted body text (14,967c)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
Before the 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
 
INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940 
Release No. 4617 / January 17, 2017 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING 
File No. 3-17785 
 
 
In the Matter of 
 
ADAMS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.,  
 
Respondent. 
 
ORDER INSTITUTING 
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CEASE-AND-
DESIST PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO 
SECTIONS 203(e) AND 203(k) OF THE 
INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940, 
MAKING FINDINGS, AND IMPOSING 
REMEDIAL SANCTIONS AND A CEASE-
AND-DESIST ORDER  
 
I. 
 
 The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) deems it appropriate and in 
the public interest that public administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby 
are, instituted pursuant to Sections 203(e) and 203(k) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 
(“Advisers Act”) against Adams Capital Management, Inc. (“Adams Capital” or “Respondent”).  
 
II. 
 
 In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondent has submitted an Offer 
of Settlement (the “Offer”) which the Commission has determined to accept.  Solely for the 
purpose of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the 
Commission, or to which the Commission is a party, and without admitting or denying the 
findings herein, except as to the Commission’s jurisdiction over it and the subject matter of these 
proceedings, which are admitted, Respondent consents to the entry of this Order Instituting 
Administrative and Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 203(e) and 203(k) of the 
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Making Findings, and Imposing Remedial Sanctions and a 
Cease-and-Desist Order (“Order”), as set forth below.    
 
III. 
 
 On the basis of this Order and Respondent’s Offer, the Commission finds
1
 that: 
                                         
1
 The findings herein are made pursuant to Respondent’s Offer of Settlement and are not 
binding on any other person or entity in this or any other proceeding. 
 

 2 
A. SUMMARY 
 
1. These proceedings involve violations of the Commission’s “pay-to-play” rule for 
investment advisers by Respondent Adams Capital, an investment adviser to venture capital funds 
which invest in early-stage technology companies.  Rule 206(4)-5, promulgated under Section 
206(4) of the Advisers Act, is a prophylactic rule designed to address pay-to-play abuses 
involving campaign contributions made by certain investment advisers or their covered 
associates to government officials who are in a position to influence the selection of investment 
advisers to manage government client assets, including public pension fund assets.  Among other 
things, Rule 206(4)-5 prohibits certain investment advisers from providing investment advisory 
services for compensation to a government client (or to an investment vehicle in which a 
government entity invests) for two years after the adviser or certain of its executives or 
employees (known as covered associates) makes a campaign contribution to certain elected 
officials or candidates who can influence the selection of certain investment advisers.    
 
2. In January 2014 and August 2014, a covered associate of Respondent made two 
$500 campaign contributions to two elected officials in Pennsylvania, both of whom had influence 
over selecting investment advisers for a public pension fund in Pennsylvania.  Within two years of 
these contributions, Respondent provided advisory services for compensation to the public pension 
fund.  By providing those advisory services for compensation during a portion of the two-year 
period, Respondent violated Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5 thereunder. 
 
B. RESPONDENT 
 
3. Adams Capital Management, Inc. is a corporation located in Sewickley, 
Pennsylvania.  Adams Capital is not registered with the Commission as an investment adviser.  
Adams Capital reports to the Commission as an “exempt reporting adviser” under Section 204(a) of 
the Advisers Act and Rule 204-4 thereunder.  In its exempt reporting adviser report on Form ADV 
dated March 29, 2016, Adams Capital reported private fund assets of approximately $217 million.   
 
C. BACKGROUND  
 
 4. In 2000, the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (“SERS”), a 
public pension plan in Pennsylvania, committed to invest, and subsequently invested, $30 million 
in Adams Capital Management III, L.P. (the “Fund”), a venture capital fund advised by 
Respondent.  During all relevant times, SERS remained invested in the Fund.  The Fund was a 
closed-end fund and investors were generally prohibited from withdrawing their money for the 
life of the fund. 
 
5. On January 14, 2014, a covered associate
2
 of Respondent (the “Covered Associate”) 
made a $500 campaign contribution to the Treasurer of Pennsylvania, who was also a candidate for 
                                         
2
  Covered associates are defined to include:  (i) any general partner, managing member or executive 
officer, or other individual with a similar status or function; (ii) any employee who solicits a government 
entity for the investment adviser and any person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such employee; and 

 3 
Governor of Pennsylvania.  On August 19, 2014, the Covered Associate made a $500 campaign 
contribution to the campaign of the Governor of Pennsylvania.  After the contribution was made, 
the Covered Associate sought and received the return of the August 19, 2014 contribution.
3
 
 
6. The offices of Treasurer of Pennsylvania and Governor of Pennsylvania both had 
the ability to influence the selection of investment advisers for SERS.  Specifically, the Treasurer 
of Pennsylvania is on the board of SERS and the Governor of Pennsylvania appoints six members 
of the board of SERS.  The SERS board has influence over investments by SERS and the 
selection of investment advisers and pooled investment vehicles for the pension fund. 
 
 7. During a portion of the two years after the contributions, Respondent continued to 
provide investment advisory services for compensation to the Fund.   
   
8. Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(a)(1) prohibits any investment adviser registered with 
the Commission, investment adviser required to be registered with the Commission, foreign 
private adviser, or exempt reporting adviser from providing investment advisory services for 
compensation to a government entity
4
 within two years after a contribution to an official
5
 of a 
government entity made by the investment adviser or any covered associate of the investment 
adviser.  Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5 also applies to investment advisers, including exempt 
reporting advisers, to a covered investment pool in which a government entity invests or is 
solicited to invest as though the adviser were providing or seeking to provide investment 
advisory services directly to the government entity.
6
  Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5 does not require 
a showing of quid pro quo or actual intent to influence an elected official or candidate.    
                                                                                                                                   
(iii) any political action committee controlled by the investment adviser or by any of its covered associates.  
See Rule 206(4)-5(f)(2).   
 
3
  Rule 206(4)-5 has a de minimis exception, which permits covered associates to make aggregate 
contributions without triggering the two-year time out of up to $350, per election, to an elected official or 
candidate for whom the covered associate is entitled to vote,
 
and up to $150, per election, to an elected 
official or candidate for whom the covered associate is not entitled to vote.  See Rule 206(4)-5(b)(1).  
 
4
  See Rule 206(4)-5(f)(5). 
 
5
  “Official” includes any person who, at the time of the relevant contribution, was an incumbent, 
candidate or successful candidate for elective office of a government entity if the office is directly or 
indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of an investment adviser by a 
government entity or has authority to appoint any person who is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can 
influence the outcome of, the hiring of an investment adviser by a government entity.  See Rule 206(4)-
5(f)(6).   
 
6
  See Rule 206(4)-5(c).  A “covered investment pool” is defined as (i) an investment company 
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”) that is an investment 
option of a plan or program of a government entity; or (ii) any company that would be an investment 
company under Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act, but for the exclusion provided from that 
definition by either Section 3(c)(1), Section 3(c)(7) or Section 3(c)(11) of that Act.  See Rule 206(4)-

 4 
  9. As a public pension plan, SERS was a government entity as defined in Advisers 
Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(5).  The contributor was a covered associate of Respondent as defined in 
Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(2).  The individuals who received the contributions were both 
officials as defined in Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(6) of government entities because the 
offices they were associated with or sought to become associated with had authority either to 
influence the hiring of investment advisers by the government entity or to appoint people who 
could influence the hiring of investment advisers by the government entity.  The Fund was a 
covered investment pool as defined in Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(3) because it would be an 
investment company under Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act but for the exclusion 
from the definition of investment company provided by Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment 
Company Act.     
 
10. Under Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5, the two contributions triggered a two-year 
“time-out” on Respondent providing advisory services to SERS for compensation.  During a portion 
of the two years after the contributions, Respondent continued to provide advisory services for 
compensation to the Fund and, therefore, received advisory fees attributable to the investment of 
SERS in the Fund.  
 
D. VIOLATIONS 
  
 11. As a result of the conduct described above, Respondent willfully
7
 violated Section 
206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5 thereunder, which makes it unlawful for any 
investment adviser registered (or required to be registered) with the Commission, or unregistered 
in reliance on the exemption available under Section 203(b)(3) of the Advisers Act, or that is an 
exempt reporting adviser, to provide investment advisory services for compensation to a 
government entity within two years after a contribution to an official of the government entity is 
made by the investment adviser or any covered associate of the investment adviser. 
 
IV. 
 
 In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate and in the public interest to 
impose the sanctions agreed to in Respondent Adams Capital’s Offer. 
 
 Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 203(e) and 203(k) of the Advisers Act, it is hereby 
ORDERED that: 
 
                                                                                                                                   
5(f)(3).  Rule 206(4)-5 applies to investment advisers even if the government entity was already invested in 
the covered investment pool at the time of the contribution.  
 
7
  A willful violation of the securities laws means merely “‘that the person charged with the duty 
knows what he is doing.’”  Wonsover v. SEC, 205 F.3d 408, 414 (D.C. Cir. 2000) (quoting Hughes v. 
SEC, 174 F.2d 969, 977 (D.C. Cir. 1949)).  There is no requirement that the actor “‘also be aware that he 
is violating one of the Rules or Acts.’” Id.  (quoting Gearhart & Otis, Inc. v. SEC, 348 F.2d 798, 803 
(D.C. Cir. 1965)). 
 

 5 
  A. Respondent Adams Capital cease and desist from committing or causing any 
violations and any future violations of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5 
promulgated thereunder.   
 
 B. Respondent Adams Capital is censured. 
 
 C. Respondent Adams Capital shall, within 10 days of the entry of this Order, pay a 
civil money penalty in the amount of $45,000 to the Securities and Exchange Commission for 
transfer to the general fund of the United States Treasury, subject to Exchange Act Section 
21F(g)(3).  If timely payment is not made, additional interest shall accrue pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 
§3717.  Payment must be made in one of the following ways: 
 
(1) Respondent may transmit payment electronically to the Commission, which 
will provide detailed ACH transfer/Fedwire instructions upon request;  
 
(2)  Respondent may make direct payment from a bank account via Pay.gov 
through the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov/about/offices/ofm.htm; or  
 
(3)  Respondent may pay by certified check, bank cashier’s check, or United 
States postal money order, made payable to the Securities and Exchange 
Commission and hand-delivered or mailed to:  
  
Enterprise Services Center 
Accounts Receivable Branch 
HQ Bldg., Room 181, AMZ-341 
6500 South MacArthur Boulevard 
  Oklahoma City, OK 73169 
 
 Payments by check or money order must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying 
Adams Capital Management, Inc. as the Respondent in these proceedings, the file number of 
these proceedings; a copy of which cover letter and check or money order must be sent to 
LeeAnn Ghazil Gaunt, Chief, Public Finance Abuse Unit, Securities and Exchange Commission, 
Boston Regional Office, 33 Arch Street, 24
rd
 Floor, Boston, MA 02110. 
 
 D. Amounts ordered to be paid as civil money penalties pursuant to this Order shall 
be treated as penalties paid to the government for all purposes, including all tax purposes.  To 
preserve the deterrent effect of the civil penalty, Respondent agrees that in any Related Investor 
Action, it shall not argue that it is entitled to, nor shall it benefit by, offset or reduction of any 
award of compensatory damages by the amount of any part of Respondent’s payment of a civil 
penalty in this action (“Penalty Offset”).  If the court in any Related Investor Action grants such 
a Penalty Offset, Respondent agrees that it shall, within 30 days after entry of a final order 
granting the Penalty Offset, notify the Commission’s counsel in this action and pay the amount 
of the Penalty Offset to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Such a payment shall not be 
deemed an additional civil penalty and shall not be deemed to change the amount of the civil 
penalty imposed in this proceeding.  For purposes of this paragraph, a “Related Investor Action” 

 6 
means a private damages action brought against Respondent by or on behalf of one or more 
investors based on substantially the same facts as alleged in the Order instituted by the 
Commission in this proceeding. 
 
 By the Commission. 
 
 
 
       Brent J. Fields  
       Secretary  
OCR text (15,203c · tika · 95% conf)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

Before the 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
 

INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940 

Release No. 4617 / January 17, 2017 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING 

File No. 3-17785 
 

 
In the Matter of 
 

ADAMS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.,  
 

Respondent. 
 

ORDER INSTITUTING 

ADMINISTRATIVE AND CEASE-AND-

DESIST PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO 

SECTIONS 203(e) AND 203(k) OF THE 

INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940, 

MAKING FINDINGS, AND IMPOSING 

REMEDIAL SANCTIONS AND A CEASE-

AND-DESIST ORDER  

 

I. 

 

 The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) deems it appropriate and in 

the public interest that public administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby 

are, instituted pursuant to Sections 203(e) and 203(k) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 

(“Advisers Act”) against Adams Capital Management, Inc. (“Adams Capital” or “Respondent”).  

 

II. 

 

 In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondent has submitted an Offer 

of Settlement (the “Offer”) which the Commission has determined to accept.  Solely for the 

purpose of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the 

Commission, or to which the Commission is a party, and without admitting or denying the 

findings herein, except as to the Commission’s jurisdiction over it and the subject matter of these 

proceedings, which are admitted, Respondent consents to the entry of this Order Instituting 

Administrative and Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 203(e) and 203(k) of the 

Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Making Findings, and Imposing Remedial Sanctions and a 

Cease-and-Desist Order (“Order”), as set forth below.    

 

III. 
 

 On the basis of this Order and Respondent’s Offer, the Commission finds
1
 that: 

                                         
1
 The findings herein are made pursuant to Respondent’s Offer of Settlement and are not 

binding on any other person or entity in this or any other proceeding. 

 



 2 

A. SUMMARY 

 

1. These proceedings involve violations of the Commission’s “pay-to-play” rule for 

investment advisers by Respondent Adams Capital, an investment adviser to venture capital funds 

which invest in early-stage technology companies.  Rule 206(4)-5, promulgated under Section 

206(4) of the Advisers Act, is a prophylactic rule designed to address pay-to-play abuses 

involving campaign contributions made by certain investment advisers or their covered 

associates to government officials who are in a position to influence the selection of investment 

advisers to manage government client assets, including public pension fund assets.  Among other 

things, Rule 206(4)-5 prohibits certain investment advisers from providing investment advisory 

services for compensation to a government client (or to an investment vehicle in which a 

government entity invests) for two years after the adviser or certain of its executives or 

employees (known as covered associates) makes a campaign contribution to certain elected 

officials or candidates who can influence the selection of certain investment advisers.    

 

2. In January 2014 and August 2014, a covered associate of Respondent made two 

$500 campaign contributions to two elected officials in Pennsylvania, both of whom had influence 

over selecting investment advisers for a public pension fund in Pennsylvania.  Within two years of 

these contributions, Respondent provided advisory services for compensation to the public pension 

fund.  By providing those advisory services for compensation during a portion of the two-year 

period, Respondent violated Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5 thereunder. 

 

B. RESPONDENT 

 

3. Adams Capital Management, Inc. is a corporation located in Sewickley, 

Pennsylvania.  Adams Capital is not registered with the Commission as an investment adviser.  

Adams Capital reports to the Commission as an “exempt reporting adviser” under Section 204(a) of 

the Advisers Act and Rule 204-4 thereunder.  In its exempt reporting adviser report on Form ADV 

dated March 29, 2016, Adams Capital reported private fund assets of approximately $217 million.   

 

C. BACKGROUND  

 

 4. In 2000, the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (“SERS”), a 

public pension plan in Pennsylvania, committed to invest, and subsequently invested, $30 million 

in Adams Capital Management III, L.P. (the “Fund”), a venture capital fund advised by 

Respondent.  During all relevant times, SERS remained invested in the Fund.  The Fund was a 

closed-end fund and investors were generally prohibited from withdrawing their money for the 

life of the fund. 

 

5. On January 14, 2014, a covered associate
2
 of Respondent (the “Covered Associate”) 

made a $500 campaign contribution to the Treasurer of Pennsylvania, who was also a candidate for 

                                         
2
  Covered associates are defined to include:  (i) any general partner, managing member or executive 

officer, or other individual with a similar status or function; (ii) any employee who solicits a government 

entity for the investment adviser and any person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such employee; and 



 3 

Governor of Pennsylvania.  On August 19, 2014, the Covered Associate made a $500 campaign 

contribution to the campaign of the Governor of Pennsylvania.  After the contribution was made, 

the Covered Associate sought and received the return of the August 19, 2014 contribution.
3
 

 

6. The offices of Treasurer of Pennsylvania and Governor of Pennsylvania both had 

the ability to influence the selection of investment advisers for SERS.  Specifically, the Treasurer 

of Pennsylvania is on the board of SERS and the Governor of Pennsylvania appoints six members 

of the board of SERS.  The SERS board has influence over investments by SERS and the 

selection of investment advisers and pooled investment vehicles for the pension fund. 

 

 7. During a portion of the two years after the contributions, Respondent continued to 

provide investment advisory services for compensation to the Fund.   

   

8. Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(a)(1) prohibits any investment adviser registered with 

the Commission, investment adviser required to be registered with the Commission, foreign 

private adviser, or exempt reporting adviser from providing investment advisory services for 

compensation to a government entity
4
 within two years after a contribution to an official

5
 of a 

government entity made by the investment adviser or any covered associate of the investment 

adviser.  Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5 also applies to investment advisers, including exempt 

reporting advisers, to a covered investment pool in which a government entity invests or is 

solicited to invest as though the adviser were providing or seeking to provide investment 

advisory services directly to the government entity.
6
  Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5 does not require 

a showing of quid pro quo or actual intent to influence an elected official or candidate.    

                                                                                                                                   
(iii) any political action committee controlled by the investment adviser or by any of its covered associates.  

See Rule 206(4)-5(f)(2).   

 
3
  Rule 206(4)-5 has a de minimis exception, which permits covered associates to make aggregate 

contributions without triggering the two-year time out of up to $350, per election, to an elected official or 

candidate for whom the covered associate is entitled to vote,
 

and up to $150, per election, to an elected 

official or candidate for whom the covered associate is not entitled to vote.  See Rule 206(4)-5(b)(1).  

 
4
  See Rule 206(4)-5(f)(5). 

 
5
  “Official” includes any person who, at the time of the relevant contribution, was an incumbent, 

candidate or successful candidate for elective office of a government entity if the office is directly or 

indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of an investment adviser by a 

government entity or has authority to appoint any person who is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can 

influence the outcome of, the hiring of an investment adviser by a government entity.  See Rule 206(4)-

5(f)(6).   

 
6
  See Rule 206(4)-5(c).  A “covered investment pool” is defined as (i) an investment company 

registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”) that is an investment 

option of a plan or program of a government entity; or (ii) any company that would be an investment 

company under Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act, but for the exclusion provided from that 

definition by either Section 3(c)(1), Section 3(c)(7) or Section 3(c)(11) of that Act.  See Rule 206(4)-



 4 

  9. As a public pension plan, SERS was a government entity as defined in Advisers 

Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(5).  The contributor was a covered associate of Respondent as defined in 

Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(2).  The individuals who received the contributions were both 

officials as defined in Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(6) of government entities because the 

offices they were associated with or sought to become associated with had authority either to 

influence the hiring of investment advisers by the government entity or to appoint people who 

could influence the hiring of investment advisers by the government entity.  The Fund was a 

covered investment pool as defined in Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(3) because it would be an 

investment company under Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act but for the exclusion 

from the definition of investment company provided by Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment 

Company Act.     

 

10. Under Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5, the two contributions triggered a two-year 

“time-out” on Respondent providing advisory services to SERS for compensation.  During a portion 

of the two years after the contributions, Respondent continued to provide advisory services for 

compensation to the Fund and, therefore, received advisory fees attributable to the investment of 

SERS in the Fund.  

 

D. VIOLATIONS 

  

 11. As a result of the conduct described above, Respondent willfully
7
 violated Section 

206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5 thereunder, which makes it unlawful for any 

investment adviser registered (or required to be registered) with the Commission, or unregistered 

in reliance on the exemption available under Section 203(b)(3) of the Advisers Act, or that is an 

exempt reporting adviser, to provide investment advisory services for compensation to a 

government entity within two years after a contribution to an official of the government entity is 

made by the investment adviser or any covered associate of the investment adviser. 

 

IV. 

 

 In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate and in the public interest to 

impose the sanctions agreed to in Respondent Adams Capital’s Offer. 

 

 Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 203(e) and 203(k) of the Advisers Act, it is hereby 

ORDERED that: 

 

                                                                                                                                   
5(f)(3).  Rule 206(4)-5 applies to investment advisers even if the government entity was already invested in 

the covered investment pool at the time of the contribution.  

 
7
  A willful violation of the securities laws means merely “‘that the person charged with the duty 

knows what he is doing.’”  Wonsover v. SEC, 205 F.3d 408, 414 (D.C. Cir. 2000) (quoting Hughes v. 

SEC, 174 F.2d 969, 977 (D.C. Cir. 1949)).  There is no requirement that the actor “‘also be aware that he 

is violating one of the Rules or Acts.’” Id.  (quoting Gearhart & Otis, Inc. v. SEC, 348 F.2d 798, 803 

(D.C. Cir. 1965)). 

 



 5 

  A. Respondent Adams Capital cease and desist from committing or causing any 

violations and any future violations of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5 

promulgated thereunder.   

 

 B. Respondent Adams Capital is censured. 

 

 C. Respondent Adams Capital shall, within 10 days of the entry of this Order, pay a 

civil money penalty in the amount of $45,000 to the Securities and Exchange Commission for 

transfer to the general fund of the United States Treasury, subject to Exchange Act Section 

21F(g)(3).  If timely payment is not made, additional interest shall accrue pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 

§3717.  Payment must be made in one of the following ways: 

 

(1) Respondent may transmit payment electronically to the Commission, which 

will provide detailed ACH transfer/Fedwire instructions upon request;  

 

(2)  Respondent may make direct payment from a bank account via Pay.gov 

through the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov/about/offices/ofm.htm; or  

 

(3)  Respondent may pay by certified check, bank cashier’s check, or United 

States postal money order, made payable to the Securities and Exchange 

Commission and hand-delivered or mailed to:  

  

Enterprise Services Center 

Accounts Receivable Branch 

HQ Bldg., Room 181, AMZ-341 

6500 South MacArthur Boulevard 

  Oklahoma City, OK 73169 

 

 Payments by check or money order must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying 

Adams Capital Management, Inc. as the Respondent in these proceedings, the file number of 

these proceedings; a copy of which cover letter and check or money order must be sent to 

LeeAnn Ghazil Gaunt, Chief, Public Finance Abuse Unit, Securities and Exchange Commission, 

Boston Regional Office, 33 Arch Street, 24
rd

 Floor, Boston, MA 02110. 

 

 D. Amounts ordered to be paid as civil money penalties pursuant to this Order shall 

be treated as penalties paid to the government for all purposes, including all tax purposes.  To 

preserve the deterrent effect of the civil penalty, Respondent agrees that in any Related Investor 

Action, it shall not argue that it is entitled to, nor shall it benefit by, offset or reduction of any 

award of compensatory damages by the amount of any part of Respondent’s payment of a civil 

penalty in this action (“Penalty Offset”).  If the court in any Related Investor Action grants such 

a Penalty Offset, Respondent agrees that it shall, within 30 days after entry of a final order 

granting the Penalty Offset, notify the Commission’s counsel in this action and pay the amount 

of the Penalty Offset to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Such a payment shall not be 

deemed an additional civil penalty and shall not be deemed to change the amount of the civil 

penalty imposed in this proceeding.  For purposes of this paragraph, a “Related Investor Action” 



 6 

means a private damages action brought against Respondent by or on behalf of one or more 

investors based on substantially the same facts as alleged in the Order instituted by the 

Commission in this proceeding. 

 

 By the Commission. 

 

 

 

       Brent J. Fields  

       Secretary