SEC names new top cop

A former federal prosecutor has been tapped as the new head of enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The regulator announced that Alex Oh, who was formerly a New York prosecutor, has been appointed director of enforcement.

Oh joins the SEC from private practice. She was previously a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, and was co-chair of firm’s anti-corruption group. Prior to that, she was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, where she was a member of the securities & commodities fraud task force and the major crimes unit, the SEC said.

“Our capital markets — and the broader economy — thrive when there are clear rules of the road and a cop on the beat to enforce them,” said Gary Gensler, the new chair of the SEC, in a release. “Alex brings to the role of director the right combination of values and experience to vigorously root out wrongdoing in our markets.”

Commenting on her appointment, Oh said, “The enforcement division plays a critical role in protecting investors and maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, essential components of the SEC’s mission. I am committed to working tirelessly to uncover and prosecute violations of the law, whether by businesses or their leaders, so that we can keep American capital markets the strongest in the world.”

James Langton

James is a senior reporter for Advisor.ca and its sister publication, Investment Executive. He has been reporting on regulation, securities law, industry news and more since 1994.