Francisco Illarramendi, Highview Point Partners, LLC and Michael Kenwood Capital Management, LLC, as Defendants, and Highview Point Master Fund, Ltd., Highview Point Offshore, Ltd., Highview Point LP, Michael Kenwood Asset Management, LLC, Michael Kenwood Energy and Infrastructure LLC, and MKEI Solar, LP, as Relief Defendants
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Litigation Release No. 22245 January 31, 2012
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Francisco Illarramendi, Highview Point Partners, LLC and Michael Kenwood Capital Management, LLC, as Defendants, and Highview Point Master Fund, Ltd., Highview Point Offshore, Ltd., Highview Point LP, Michael Kenwood Asset Management, LLC, Michael Kenwood Energy and Infrastructure LLC, and MKEI Solar, LP, as Relief Defendants, 3:11cv-78 (JBA)(D. Conn., January 14, 2011)
United States v. Juan Carlos Guillen Zerpa, 3:11-cr-76 (SRU)
United States v. Juan Carlos Horna Napolitano, 3:11-cr-86 (SRU)
FEDERAL COURT SENTENCES TWO FOR OBSTRUCTING SEC INVESTIGATION OF CONNECTICUT HEDGE FUND MANAGER
The Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) announced today that on January 27, 2012, Florida resident Juan Carlos Horna Napolitano was sentenced by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport, Connecticut to 14 months imprisonment, followed by two years supervised release, for his role in conspiring to obstruct a Commission investigation relating to Francisco Illarramendi, a Connecticut hedge fund advisor. Horna Napolitano was also ordered to forfeit $935,000.
Judge Underhill had previously sentenced a Venezuelan accountant, Juan Carlos Guillen Zerpa, for his role in the conspiracy to obstruct the Commission's investigation. On December 14, 2011, Guillen Zerpa was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, followed by two years supervised release and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and to forfeit $315,000.
Separately, on December 15, 2011, the Commission issued an Order suspending Guillen Zerpa forthwith from appearing or practicing before the Commission pursuant to Rule 102(e)(2) of the Commission's Rules of Practice. Guillen Zerpa has been licensed as a certified public accountant in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela since 1989.
In January 2011, the SEC charged Illarramendi with engaging in a multi-year Ponzi scheme involving hundreds of millions of dollars. On March 7, 2011, Illarramendi pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, one count of securities fraud, one count of investment advisor fraud, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, to obstruct an official proceeding and to defraud the SEC. He is awaiting sentencing. On August 3, 2011, the Commission issued an Order by consent barring Illarramendi from association with any broker, dealer, investment adviser, municipal securities dealer, municipal advisor, transfer agent, or nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
The SEC's investigation is continuing. The SEC acknowledges and appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
For further information, see Litigation Release No. 21828 (January 28, 2011), No. 21875 (March 7, 2011); No. 21970 (May 16, 2011); Litigation Release No. 22015 (June 28, 2011).