In re NGN CAPITAL LLC
NGN Capital LLC, an exempt reporting adviser, violated the SEC’s pay-to-play rule by continuing to provide advisory services to a venture fund backed by NYC public pension plans within two years after a covered associate made $1,925 in campaign contributions to mayoral candidates who appoint pension board members, resulting in a $100,000 penalty and cease-and-desist order.
NGN Capital LLC, an exempt reporting adviser managing healthcare-focused venture capital funds, violated Rule 206(4)-5 of the Investment Advisers Act by providing compensated advisory services to NGN BioMed Opportunity II, L.P.—a fund holding $50 million in assets from NYC public pension plans—within two years of a covered associate’s $1,925 in campaign contributions to two mayoral candidates. The Mayor of New York City appoints members to the pension boards that select investment advisers, making the contributions subject to the rule’s two-year prohibition, regardless of quid pro quo. Without admitting or denying the findings, NGN consented to a cease-and-desist order, a $100,000 civil penalty paid in two $50,000 installments, and formal censure.
NGN Capital LLC, an exempt reporting adviser under the Investment Advisers Act with $189.6 million in private fund assets, violated Rule 206(4)-5—the SEC’s pay-to-play rule—by continuing to provide compensated advisory services to NGN BioMed Opportunity II, L.P., a venture capital fund in which four NYC public pension plans held $50 million, within two years of campaign contributions made by a covered associate. In 2013, the associate contributed $1,925 total to two candidates for Mayor of New York City, an office with authority to appoint members to the pension boards that select investment advisers for the city’s funds. Although NGN Capital was not fully registered with the SEC, the rule explicitly applied to exempt reporting advisers, and no proof of quid pro quo was required—only the timing of the contribution and subsequent advisory relationship. The SEC found that NGN’s actions constituted a willful violation of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act. Without admitting or denying the findings (except as to jurisdiction), NGN consented to a cease-and-desist order, a $100,000 civil penalty payable in two $50,000 installments, and formal censure. The penalty could not be offset against any potential investor claims, reinforcing the SEC’s intent to deter such conduct. The case underscores the broad reach of pay-to-play rules even for advisers operating under exemptions.
Extracted insights
- $189.60M $189.6 million $100M–$1B
- $50.00M $50 million $10M–$100M
- $100K $100,000 $100K–$1M
- $50K $50,000 $10K–$100K
- $50K $50,000 $10K–$100K
- $1K $1,425 <$10K
- $500 $500 <$10K
- $350 $350 <$10K
- $150 $150 <$10K
- person administrative proceeding
- company covered associate of ngn capital llc
- person exempt reporting adviser
- company ngn capital llc
- agency offer of settlement to sec
- agency Securities and Exchange Commission
- SEC instituted proceedings against NGN Capital LLC
- NGN Capital LLC violated Rule 206(4)-5 (pay-to-play rule)
- NGN Capital LLC is located in New York, New York
- NGN Capital LLC reports to SEC as exempt reporting adviser
- Covered associate of NGN Capital LLC made campaign contributions in 2013 to two candidates for elected office in New York, New York
- NGN Capital LLC provided advisory services for compensation to public pension funds in New York within two years of campaign contributions
- NGN Capital LLC violated Section 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
- Administrative proceeding issued on January 17, 2017
- NGN Capital LLC is investment adviser to venture capital funds investing in healthcare companies
- NGN Capital LLC submitted Offer of Settlement to SEC
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940
Release No. 4612 / January 17, 2017
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-17783
In the Matter of
NGN CAPITAL LLC,
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 NGN Capital LLC (“NGN 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 NGN Capital, an investment adviser to venture capital funds
which invest in healthcare 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 2013, a covered associate of Respondent made campaign contributions to two
candidates for elected office in New York, New York, which office had influence over selecting
investment advisers for public pension funds in New York, New York. Within two years of these
contributions, Respondent provided advisory services for compensation to the public pension funds.
By providing those advisory services for compensation, Respondent violated Section 206(4) of the
Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5 thereunder.
B. RESPONDENT
3. NGN Capital LLC is a limited liability company located in New York, New York.
NGN Capital is not registered with the Commission as an investment adviser. NGN 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 24, 2015,
NGN Capital reported private fund assets of approximately $189.6 million.
C. BACKGROUND
4. In 2008, four City of New York public pension plans invested $50 million in NGN
BioMed Opportunity II, L.P. (the “Fund”), a venture capital fund advised by Respondent. The
City of New York public pension plans included the Teachers Retirement System of the City of
New York, New York City Police Pension Fund, New York City Fire Pension Fund and New
York City Employees’ Retirement System (the “City of New York Public Pension Plans”).
During the relevant times, the City of New York Public Pension Plans 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.
3
5. Between July 2013 and September 2013, a covered associate
2
of Respondent (the
“Covered Associate”) made three campaign contributions totaling $1,425 to a candidate for the
office of Mayor of New York City. In April 2013, the Covered Associate made a $500 campaign
contribution to another candidate for Mayor of New York City.
3
6. The office of Mayor of New York City had the ability to influence the selection of
investment advisers for the City of New York Public Pension Plans. Specifically, the Mayor of
New York City appoints at least one member of the boards of the City of New York Public
Pension Plans. The boards of the City of New York Public Pension Plans have influence over
investments by these plans and the selection of investment advisers and pooled investment
vehicles for the pension funds.
7. During 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
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
(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).
4
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.
9. As public pension plans, the City of New York Public Pension Plans were
government entities 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 candidates
who received the contributions were officials as defined in Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(6) of
government entities because the office that they sought to become associated with had authority
to influence the hiring of investment advisers by the government entities. 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 contributions triggered a two-year “time-
out” on Respondent providing advisory services to the City of New York Public Pension Plans for
compensation. During 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 investments of the City of New York Public Pension Plans in the Fund.
D. VIOLATIONS
11. As a result of the conduct described above, Respondent NGN Capital 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.
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)-
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
IV.
In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate and in the public interest to
impose the sanctions agreed to in Respondent NGN Capital’s Offer.
Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 203(e) and 203(k) of the Advisers Act, it is hereby
ORDERED that:
A. Respondent NGN Capital shall 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
thereunder.
B. Respondent NGN Capital is censured.
C. Respondent NGN Capital shall pay a civil money penalty in the amount of
$100,000 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). Payment shall be made in
two installments of $50,000. Respondent NGN Capital shall pay the first installment of $50,000
within 10 days of the entry of this Order and the second installment of $50,000 within 365 days
of the entry of this Order. If any payment is not made by the date the payment is required by this
Order, the entire outstanding balance of civil penalties, plus any additional interest accrued
pursuant to 31 U.S.C. §3717, shall be due and payable immediately, without further application.
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
6
Payments by check or money order must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying NGN
Capital LLC 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, 23
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” 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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940
Release No. 4612 / January 17, 2017
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-17783
In the Matter of
NGN CAPITAL LLC,
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 NGN Capital LLC (“NGN 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 NGN Capital, an investment adviser to venture capital funds
which invest in healthcare 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 2013, a covered associate of Respondent made campaign contributions to two
candidates for elected office in New York, New York, which office had influence over selecting
investment advisers for public pension funds in New York, New York. Within two years of these
contributions, Respondent provided advisory services for compensation to the public pension funds.
By providing those advisory services for compensation, Respondent violated Section 206(4) of the
Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-5 thereunder.
B. RESPONDENT
3. NGN Capital LLC is a limited liability company located in New York, New York.
NGN Capital is not registered with the Commission as an investment adviser. NGN 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 24, 2015,
NGN Capital reported private fund assets of approximately $189.6 million.
C. BACKGROUND
4. In 2008, four City of New York public pension plans invested $50 million in NGN
BioMed Opportunity II, L.P. (the “Fund”), a venture capital fund advised by Respondent. The
City of New York public pension plans included the Teachers Retirement System of the City of
New York, New York City Police Pension Fund, New York City Fire Pension Fund and New
York City Employees’ Retirement System (the “City of New York Public Pension Plans”).
During the relevant times, the City of New York Public Pension Plans 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.
3
5. Between July 2013 and September 2013, a covered associate
2
of Respondent (the
“Covered Associate”) made three campaign contributions totaling $1,425 to a candidate for the
office of Mayor of New York City. In April 2013, the Covered Associate made a $500 campaign
contribution to another candidate for Mayor of New York City.
3
6. The office of Mayor of New York City had the ability to influence the selection of
investment advisers for the City of New York Public Pension Plans. Specifically, the Mayor of
New York City appoints at least one member of the boards of the City of New York Public
Pension Plans. The boards of the City of New York Public Pension Plans have influence over
investments by these plans and the selection of investment advisers and pooled investment
vehicles for the pension funds.
7. During 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
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
(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).
4
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.
9. As public pension plans, the City of New York Public Pension Plans were
government entities 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 candidates
who received the contributions were officials as defined in Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-5(f)(6) of
government entities because the office that they sought to become associated with had authority
to influence the hiring of investment advisers by the government entities. 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 contributions triggered a two-year “time-
out” on Respondent providing advisory services to the City of New York Public Pension Plans for
compensation. During 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 investments of the City of New York Public Pension Plans in the Fund.
D. VIOLATIONS
11. As a result of the conduct described above, Respondent NGN Capital 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.
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)-
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
IV.
In view of the foregoing, the Commission deems it appropriate and in the public interest to
impose the sanctions agreed to in Respondent NGN Capital’s Offer.
Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 203(e) and 203(k) of the Advisers Act, it is hereby
ORDERED that:
A. Respondent NGN Capital shall 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
thereunder.
B. Respondent NGN Capital is censured.
C. Respondent NGN Capital shall pay a civil money penalty in the amount of
$100,000 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). Payment shall be made in
two installments of $50,000. Respondent NGN Capital shall pay the first installment of $50,000
within 10 days of the entry of this Order and the second installment of $50,000 within 365 days
of the entry of this Order. If any payment is not made by the date the payment is required by this
Order, the entire outstanding balance of civil penalties, plus any additional interest accrued
pursuant to 31 U.S.C. §3717, shall be due and payable immediately, without further application.
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
6
Payments by check or money order must be accompanied by a cover letter identifying NGN
Capital LLC 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, 23
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” 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