With Fewer Workers, S.E.C. Brings Fewer Cases

The Securities and Exchange Commission, already facing an examination of its efforts to police the nation’s securities markets, said Thursday that it brought 9 percent fewer enforcement cases last year. The commission’s chairman, Christopher Cox, said the decline stemmed from a temporary dip in its employee numbers, The Washington Post reported. Experts differed on whether this should be a source of concern for investors.
The S.E.C. conducted 574 enforcement actions in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, according to figures the agency released Thursday. In a statement accompanying the data, Mr. Cox pointed to recent S.E.C. actions that he considered to be successful, including settlements with Fannie Mae and the American Insurance Group.
The agency lost 155 employees last year, The Post said, including 43 in its enforcement unit. Its budget remained level at $888 million.