SEC Outside Investigator Should Also Look Into. . . Recommended
Posted by Larry Doyle on May 8th, 2012 9:59 AM |
Perhaps it is only fitting that my 2000th post since launching Sense on Cents in January 2009 is directed at issues within our nation’s top financial cops at the SEC.
How interesting that a report is released today indicating that the SEC is bringing in an outside investigator to probe allegations of inappropriate activities within the Office of Inspector General during the tenure of the recently departed IG David Kotz. (more…)
A Chance to Expose the Wall Street-Washington Incest
Posted by Larry Doyle on June 7th, 2011 6:55 AM |
Truth, transparency, and integrity.
The compromising of these virtues may be the cost of doing business in our nation but make no mistake the price we collectively pay is enormous. Whether in Washington or on Wall Street, the ability to compromise our prized virtues has truly been raised to an art form.
From derivative transactions which disguise unprecedented levels of risk to bond indentures which require advanced legal degrees to interpret, our ‘friends’ on Wall Street with assistance from ‘their’ friends in Washington have displayed little regard for the aforementioned virtues which are the foundation for real ‘sense on cents’.
More often than not,though,the violation of our virtues is viewed in an impersonal light. Wall Street and Washington are behemoths. The American public and investors at large are faceless. In my opinion, our financial services industry and government would just as soon keep it this way.
Let’s challenge them. (more…)
What’s Really Going on at the SEC?
Posted by Larry Doyle on March 10th, 2011 9:44 AM |
How do you view the local cops on the beat within your hometown? I recall fondly looking up to the ‘men in blue’ as a young boy in Boston. The general admiration and respect for our law enforcement back then certainly did not mean that there were not improprieties occurring. We should not be that naive. That said, the institution of law enforcement itself definitely commanded respect. Can we say the same for those enforcing financial regulations today? Regrettably the record over the last number of years shows significant shortcomings.
These shortcomings at the SEC were supposed to change under the leadership of Mary Schapiro. (more…)
POGO: “Reports the SEC Doesn’t Want You to See”
Posted by Larry Doyle on January 24th, 2011 10:52 PM |
The Project on Government Oversight has become the financial regulatory eyes and ears for our nation. While one would think Congress might care to thoroughly investigate government agencies and hold them to account, our recent history has shown us that the Congressional oversight is severely lacking. Enter POGO. What has POGO provided us now?
By utilizing the Freedom of Information Act, POGO has provided a huge window of transparency into the SEC. Why should POGO have to perform these acts? Where is the Congressional oversight? Heck, where is the SEC chair Mary Schapiro?
I strongly encourage readers to save this commentary as POGO provides links to a wealth of amazing stories and investigations. THANK YOU POGO for performing a national public service in opening the windows into the SEC. (more…)
Is SEC Inspector General Kotz Investigating High Profile Washington Law Firm?
Posted by Larry Doyle on June 21st, 2010 2:04 PM |
America has learned all too well about the revolving door between financial regulators and financial firms along with their legal counterparts. While these revolving doors are not necessarily incestuous by themselves, the fact is the proximity of the relationships that develop has clearly led to an overall atmosphere filled with incest.
Has this incest crept into the corner offices of a high profile Washington D.C. based law firm? (more…)
SEC’s Senior Staff/Inmates Are Running the Asylum **STRONGLY RECOMMENDED**
Posted by Larry Doyle on June 15th, 2010 9:07 AM |
Any employee in any organization knows that an internal disciplinary double standard is the quickest way to kill morale. Happens all the time, right? Likely even worse in organizations with lots of bureaucracy? Uncle Sam would not know how to operate otherwise, you say? The answers to all those questions may be the affirmative, but that does not make a double standard right nor does it mean that it should be tolerated. Why do I broach this topic?
Our friends at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) released a report just yesterday highlighting the pathetic disciplinary measures and massive double standard at the SEC in responding to recommendations from its own Office of Inspector General (OIG). POGO reports:
….this is not the first time the SEC has refused to follow an OIG recommendation for disciplinary action. (more…)