Hennessee Group, a New York-based investment adviser is facing a $800,000 fine from the SEC due to the firm's failure to perform promised due diligence of the Bayou Group hedge fund, once run by eventual death-faking, scooter-riding fugitive from justice, Sam Israel.

Bayou, of course, was one of the biggest hedge fund flame-outs of all time, with many of the fund's major players doing jail time. The SEC complaint details about 40 Hennessee clients who altogether has about $56 million invested inthe Bayou fund.

Hennssee head, Charles Gradante has neither confirmed or denied wrongdoing in the matter. While he hasn't commented on the specifics of his own case, Gradante has submitted a letter to the SEC with a variety of recommendations for how other migh avoid Hennessee's fate.

Amongst Gradante's recommendations - increased reguation of hedge fund borrowing and requiring that third parties, such has Kroll, be hired to conductforencic audits of hedge fund financial statements. More here, via Bloomberg.

-- MDT

Labels: Bayou Group, Fraud, hedge fund, Hennessee, Kroll, Sam Israel