Dawn Bennett and her investment firm were hit with penaltiesfor allegedly making false and misleading statements regarding AUM and investorreturns.

SEC Administrative Law Judge James Grimes ordered Bennett topay $600,000 and Bennett GroupFinancial Services LLC to pay $2.9 million. The investment adviserand her firm will also have to pay $556,102 in disgorgement. Inaddition, she was also barred from the securities industry.

Bennett previously declined to participate in the agency'senforcement proceeding.