UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SEC Admin Release 34-80343; IA Release 40-4675, March 30, 2017: On February 2, 2017, the SEC instituted proceedings against Thomas H. Caniford pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 203(f) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Caniford has submitted an Offer of Settlement which the Commission has determined to accept. Solely for the purpose of these proceedings and any other proceedings brought by or on behalf of the Commission, or to which the Commission is a party, Respondent admits the Commission's jurisdiction over him and the subject matter of these proceedings, and the findings contained herein, and consents to the entry of this Order Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions Pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 203(f) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. On the basis of this Order and Respondent's Offer, the Commission finds that on March 11, 2016, Caniford pleaded guilty to a 135 count indictment before the Stark County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas in Criminal Case No. 15-CR-1243. Caniford pleaded guilty to 11 counts of prohibited securities acts in the first degree, 15 counts of prohibited securities acts in the second degree, 27 counts of prohibited securities acts in the third degree, and 19 counts of prohibited securities acts in the fourth degree in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 1707.44(J); one count of unregistered sale of a security in the second degree, two counts of unregistered sale of a security in the third degree, and 15 counts of unregistered sale of a security in the fourth degree in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 1707.44(C)(1); one count of fraudulent sale of a security in the second degree, two counts of fraudulent sale of a security in the third degree, and 16 counts of fraudulent sale of a security in the fourth degree in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 1707.44(G); three counts of theft from an elderly person or disabled adult in the third degree and three counts of theft from an elderly person or disabled adult in the fourth degree in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2913.02(A)(2) and/or (A)(3); 9 counts of grand theft in the fourth degree in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2913.02(A)(2) and/or (A)(3); and 11 counts of theft in the fifth degree in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2913.02(A)(2) and/or (A)(3). Caniford was sentenced to a prison term of 12 years, followed by post-release control.

Order

Bar (Permanent)

any broker, dealer, investment adviser, municipal securities dealer, municipal advisor, transfer agent, or NRSRO

Indefinite

3/30/2017

penny stock

Indefinite

3/30/2017

Securities fraud, False statements, theft from the elderly, unregistered sales.

Pled guilty

FINRA

RESPONDENT CANIFORD FAILED TO RESPOND TO FINRA REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.

LETTER

Bar (Permanent)

All Capacities

Indefinite

6/29/2015

PURSUANT TO FINRA RULE 9552(H) AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH FINRA'S NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND SUSPENSION FROM ASSOCIATION LETTERS DATED MARCH 24, 2015 AND APRIL 17, 2015, RESPECTIVELY, ON JUNE 29, 2015, CANIFORD IS BARRED FROM ASSOCIATION WITH ANY FINRA MEMBER IN ANY CAPACITY. RESPONDENT FAILED TO REQUEST TERMINATION OF HIS SUSPENSION WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE DATE OF THE NOTICE OF SUSPENSION; THEREFORE, HE IS AUTOMATICALLY BARRED FROM ASSOCIATION WITH ANY FINRA MEMBER IN ANY CAPACITY.