'SEC to name investigative chiefs of 5 units'

The US regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to name chiefs for five new specialised investigative units, advancing a key aspect of the agency's effort to rebuild its enforcement programme, says a media report.

Attributing to people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reported that enforcement Director Robert Khuzami is expected to announce the moves at a news conference today.

In his personnel choices, Khuzami tapped senior enforcement lawyers who have led offices or worked on significant cases over the years, the report said citing people aware of the plan.

The five units identify high-priority areas for the agency.

Daniel Hawke, head of the Philadelphia office, is slated to run the market-abuse unit, which would focus on insider-trading and market-manipulation cases, the daily said.

According to the publication, Kenneth Lench may run the structured and new-products unit, which would focus on derivatives and newly developed products.

Cheryl Scarboro is slated to be named chief of the agency's unit that investigates foreign bribery by corporations.

In addition, the report noted that Elaine Greenberg, a veteran of the Philadelphia office, may be tapped to run the municipal-securities unit.

The unit specialising in asset managers, including hedge funds and private-equity firms, would be jointly run by Bruce Karpati and Robert Kaplan.

Another unit, called market intelligence, would assume the responsibilities of the Internet enforcement unit and add new duties, such as handling tips and referrals.

Thomas Sporkin is expected to lead that office, the report added.