The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or the “Commission”) recently made changes that could affect the speed and efficiency with which investigations are handled and enforcement actions are brought. Stung with allegations of investigative failures in the wake of revelations regarding the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, the SEC is centralizing its intake of tips, complaints and referrals. It is adding specialized “units” within its Division of Enforcement. It also announced an “Enforcement Cooperation Initiative,” indicating that it will be more receptive to making deals with insiders in order to better understand potential securities violations.
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