WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - New York-based investment

adviser WisdomTree Asset Management agreed to pay $4 million to

settle Securities and Exchange Commission charges over

misstatements and compliance failures relating to what the firm

said was an environmental, social, and governance (ESG)

investment strategy.

From March 2020 until November 2022, WisdomTree ( WT ) said three

ESG exchange-traded funds did not invest in companies involved

in fossil fuels and tobacco, but the SEC found the funds in fact

invested in companies that were involved in coal mining and

transportation, natural gas extraction and distribution, and

retail sales of tobacco products.

WisdomTree ( WT ) agreed to a cease-and-desist order and censure

and to pay a $4 million civil penalty, without admitting or

denying the SEC's findings.