SEC Targets Ex-Finance Chief of Pixar

NEW YORK -- A regional office of the Securities and Exchange Commission plans to recommend that the agency take civil action against the former chief financial officer of Pixar Animation Studios, Ann Mather, accusing her of improper dating of stock-option grants at the filmmaker, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Mather was notified Wednesday by the SEC's Los Angeles office of its recommendation, alleging violations of federal securities laws relating to options transactions that occurred while Pixar was an independent company. Pixar now is owned by Walt Disney Co. The agency's action was disclosed Monday in a regulatory filing by Google Inc., where Mather serves on the board., the paper reported

Mather's attorney, Timothy Coleman, of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP said, "There is no basis for any legal action against her," the paper reported.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 4/29/08