Cox admits SEC failure to detect Madoff fraud

SEC to launch an inquiry into its failure to act on warnings of Madoff's wrongdoing in 1999

WASHINGTON, DC - Christopher Cox, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has admitted to failures by SEC staff to follow up on warnings of wrongdoing at Bernard Madoff's hedge fund. Following an initial review into the Madoff case, Cox revealed the SEC had received "credible and specific" allegations of financial wrongdoing against the Wall Street broker as long ago as 1999.

"I am gravely concerned by the apparent multiple failures over at least a decade to thoroughly investigate these allegations or at any point to seek formal authority to pursue them," says Cox.

The supervisor has announced it will launch an internal inquiry, led by SEC inspector-general David Kotz, into the past allegations against Madoff and his investment company, and why they were not judged credible enough to merit further examination at the time.

Madoff is charged with running a $50 billion fraud in one of the biggest cases in Wall Street history.

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here