Eduardo Villar

Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Release No. 47625 / April 3, 2003

Administrative Proceeding
File No. 3-11044

SUMMARY

This Order bars Eduardo Villar from association with a broker-dealer. He has been permanently enjoined against violations of the antifraud and registration provisions of the securities laws.

I. BACKGROUND

The Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) issued its Order Instituting Proceedings (OIP) in this matter on February 25, 2003, pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). The OIP alleges that Eduardo Villar was associated with an unregistered broker-dealer during all relevant times and was enjoined against future violations of the antifraud and registration provisions of the federal securities laws on November 14, 2002. A prehearing conference was held today. Both parties appeared: the Division of Enforcement (Division) by Teresa J. Verges, Esq., and Villar, by Albert Piantini, Esq., of Piantini & Associates, Coconut Grove, Florida. At the prehearing conference, the Division moved for default, pursuant to 17 C.F.R. § 201.155(a)(2), asking that Villar be barred from association with any broker or dealer; through his attorney, Villar affirmatively stated that he would not defend the proceeding and would accept a default ordering the relief that the Division seeks.

Villar is in default within the meaning of 17 C.F.R. § 201.155(a)(2) in that he affirmatively declined to defend the proceeding. Accordingly, the undersigned finds that the allegations in the OIP are true.

II. FINDINGS OF FACT

Villar has been permanently enjoined from future violations of Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 15(a)(1) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. See SEC v. Web Hosting Headquarters P'ship, No. 00-4975-CIV (S.D. Fla. Nov. 14, 2002). During all relevant times, Villar was associated with Web Hosting Headquarters Partnership (Web Hosting), an unregistered broker-dealer in North Miami Beach, Florida, as its co-founder and managing partner. Villar and others violated the antifraud and registration provisions of the federal securities laws in connection with an unregistered offering of securities in the form of partnership units issued by Web Hosting.

III. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Villar has been enjoined "from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection . . . with the purchase or sale of any security" within the meaning of Sections 15(b)(4)(C) and 15(b)(6)(A)(iii) of the Exchange Act. His unlawful conduct was recurring and egregious. There are no mitigating circumstances.

IV. SANCTION

The Division requests that Villar be barred from association with any broker or dealer. This sanction will serve the public interest and the protection of investors, pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Exchange Act. It accords with Commission precedent and the sanction considerations set forth in Steadman v. SEC, 603 F.2d 1126, 1140 (5th Cir. 1979).

V. ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that EDUARDO VILLAR IS BARRED from association with any broker or dealer.