USA v. Hispania Private Equity, L.P.

Filing 1

CONSENT ORDER OF RECEIVERSHIP, Signed by United States District Court Judge, Samuel Der-Yeghiayan on November 30, 2012. (Attachments: # 1 Complaint, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet) (johar, )

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
__________________________________________
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
)
)
Plaintiff,
)
)
vs.
)
)
HISPANIA PRIVATE EQUITY, L.P.
)
)
Defendant.
)
___________________________________________ )

Civ. Action No.

COMPLAINT FOR RECEIVERSHIP AND INJUNCTION
COMES NOW Plaintiff, the United States of America, on behalf of its agency, the
United States Small Business Administration, and for its cause of action states as follows:
PARTIES, JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1.

This is a civil action brought by the United States on behalf of its agency, the

Small Business Administration (hereinafter, “SBA,” “Agency” or “Plaintiff”), whose central
office is located at 409 Third Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20416.
2.

Jurisdiction is conferred on this Court by virtue of the Small Business Investment

Act of 1958, as amended (hereinafter, the “Act”), Sections 308(d), 311, and 316; 15 U.S.C.
§§687(d), 687c, 687h; the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. §634(b)(1); and 28 U.S.C. §1345.
3.

Defendant, Hispania Private Equity L.P. (hereinafter “Hispania” or “Licensee”),

is a Delaware limited partnership that maintains its principal place of business at 200 W.
Madison Street, Suite 970, Chicago, IL 60606. Venue is therefore proper under 15 U.S.C. §§
687(d), 687h and 28 U.S.C. §1391(b).
4.

Hispania’s general partner is Hispania Investors, LLC.

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5.

On or about March 6, 2003, Hispania was licensed by SBA as a Small Business

Investment Company (“SBIC”) pursuant to Section 301(c) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. §681(c) as SBA
License 05/75-0270, solely to do business under the provisions of the Act and the Regulations.
6.

In its Licensing Application, at Section 8(a), Hispania certified through its general

partner that the Licensee would at all times be operated in full conformity with the Act and the
regulations promulgated thereunder at 13 C.F.R. §107.1 et. seq (“the Regulations”).
7.

Section 308(c) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. §687(c), empowers SBA to prescribe

regulations to carry out the provisions of the Act and to govern the operations of SBICs. SBA
has duly promulgated such regulations, which are codified at Title 13 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 107 (the “Regulations”).
8.

Section 303 of the Act, 15 U.S.C. §683, authorizes SBA to provide financing to

licensed SBICs. Pursuant to Section 303 of the Act, 15 U.S.C. §683, SBA provided funds to
Hispania through the purchase and/or guaranty of Participating Securities, a form of Leverage, as
those terms are defined under the Regulations.
9.

Currently, there remains $29,312,806.00 outstanding in Participating Securities

Leverage.
10.

The Participating Securities described in paragraphs 8-9, above, are expressly

subject to and incorporated by reference in the Regulations, including but not limited to the
provision of 13 C.F.R. §§107.1820-1850 and §107.507.
11.

Section 308(d) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. §687(d), provides that upon determination

and adjudication of noncompliance or violation of the Act or the Regulations, all of the rights,
privileges and franchises of a Licensee, such as Hispania, may be forfeited and the company
may be declared dissolved.

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12.

Section 311 of the Act, 15 U.S.C. §687c, provides that upon a determination by

SBA that if a Licensee, such as Hispania, has engaged in or is about to engage in any acts or
practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of the Act or of any Rule or Regulation
promulgated pursuant to the Act, or of any order issued under the Act, then SBA may make
application for an injunction, and such Court shall have jurisdiction of such action and grant a
permanent or temporary injunction, or other relief without bond, upon a showing that such
Licensee has engaged in or is about to engage in any such acts or practices. The Court is
authorized to appoint SBA to act as receiver for such Licensee.
COUNT ONE
CAPITAL IMPAIRMENT
13.

Paragraphs 1 through 12 are incorporated herein by reference.

14.

Among other requirements, the Regulations at 13 C.F.R. §107.1830(a) governing

Participating Securities Leverage require that an SBIC such as Hispania maintain a Capital
Impairment Ratio, as that term is defined in the Regulations, of no greater than 70%.
15.

As of December 31, 2011, SBA determined that Hispania had a condition of

Capital Impairment Ratio above that allowable under Section 107.1830 of the Regulations.
16.

By letter dated March 14, 2012, SBA notified Hispania that its condition of

capital impairment had to be cured within fifteen (15) days of the date of the letter or SBA would
place Hispania into Restricted Operations pursuant to 13 C.F.R. §107.1820 (e)(10), and would
impose Restricted Operation Remedies pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 107.1820(f).
17.

Hispania failed to cure its condition of capital impairment within the prescribed

time. Consequently, on or about March 30, 2012, SBA placed Hispania into Restricted
Operations and imposed Restricted Operation Remedies pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 107.1820(f).

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18.

Subsequently, SBA transferred Hispania to liquidation status on or about April

20, 2012.
19.

Via letter dated May 3, 2012, SBA notified Hispania of its transfer to liquidation

20.

To date, Hispania continues to have a condition of capital impairment in excess of

status.

that allowed under the Regulations.
21.

Hispania’s failure to cure its condition of capital impairment is a violation of

§§107.1820-107.1830 of the Regulations, which violations have not been cured to date.
22.

As a consequence of Hispania’s continuing violation of

13 C.F.R. §§ 107.1820-107.1830 of the Regulations, SBA is entitled to the injunctive relief
provided under the Act, 15 U.S.C. §687(d).
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays as follows:
A.

That this Court enter the Consent Order filed simultaneously herewith and grant

injunctive relief, both preliminary and permanent in nature, restraining and enjoining Hispania,
its past or present general partner(s), managers, management company, directors, officers,
agents, employees, and other persons acting in concert or participation therewith from: (1)
making any disbursements of Hispania’s funds; (2) using, investing, conveying, disposing,
executing or encumbering in any fashion any funds or assets of Hispania, wherever located; and
(3) further violating the Act or the Regulations promulgated thereunder.
B.

That this Court determine and adjudicate Hispania’s noncompliance with and

violation of the Act and the Regulations promulgated thereunder.

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C.

That this Court, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §687c, take exclusive jurisdiction of

Hispania and all of its assets, wherever located, appoint SBA as receiver of Hispania for the
purpose of marshaling and liquidating the assets of Hispania and satisfying the claims of
creditors as approved by this Court, and such other relief as contained in the Consent Order filed
herewith.
D.

That this Court grant such other relief as may be deemed just and proper.
Respectfully submitted,
GARY S. SHAPIRO
ACTING UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

By:

s/ Elizabeth Wilson
Elizabeth A. Wilson
Assistant United States Attorney
219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60604
[phone]

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

By:

s/ Arlene M. Embrey
Arlene M. Embrey
Trial Attorney
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 Third Street, S.W., Seventh Floor
Washington, D.C. 20416
Telephone:
[phone]
[e-mail]

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