SEC to Lose Key Enforcement Official

WASHINGTON -- A senior enforcement official at the Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to leave by the summer, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

Walter Ricciardi, deputy director of enforcement, is looking to leave the agency for the private sector and has recused himself from cases, the paper reported.

Before becoming deputy director, Ricciardi ran the agency's Boston bureau, where he oversaw investigations into improper gifts involving Fidelity Investments. He also spearheaded the agency's investigations into misleading statements by biotech companies about the status of winning Food and Drug Administration approval of certain drugs, the paper reported.

Ricciardi oversaw the regional offices of the SEC and has been the point person upgrading the SEC's internal communications and case-tracking systems. Before joining the SEC, Ricciardi led the litigation practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, the paper reported.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 4/25/08