New York (HedgeCo.net) – The SEC has obtained a court order freezing the assets of a Stamford, Conn.-based investment adviser and its principal, Francisco Illarramendi, charging that they misappropriated at least $53 million in investor funds and used the money for self-dealing transactions, according to an SEC complaint.
“Illarramendi treated his clients’ money like it was his own, diverting millions of dollars that did not belong to him,” said David P. Bergers, Director of the SEC’s Boston Regional Office. “He abused his position of trust with his clients and breached his responsibilities as an investment adviser.”
The SEC alleges that Illarramendi defrauded investors in the several hedge funds he managed by improperly transferring their money into bank accounts that he personally controlled. He then invested the money for his own benefit or for the benefit of the entities that he controlled, rather than for the benefit of the hedge fund investors.
According to the SEC’s complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on January 14, Illarramendi is the majority owner of the Michael Kenwood Group LLC — a holding company for, among other entities, investment adviser Michael Kenwood Capital Management LLC. Through this adviser entity, Illarramendi manages several hedge funds, including one that contains up to $540 million in assets. The SEC’s complaint alleges that Illarramendi took at least $53 million in investor money out of this hedge fund without the knowledge or consent of the hedge fund’s investors
The SEC sought an asset freeze and other emergency relief , also naming other Illarramendi-controlled entities as relief defendants, including, Michael Kenwood Asset Management LLC, Michael Kenwood Energy and Infrastructure LLC, and MKEI Solar LP. The SEC investigation is ongoing.
Editing by Alex Akesson
Editor for HedgeCo.net
alex@hedgeco.net
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