After an investigation by the SEC Inspector General concerning allegations by Gary Aguirre that his supervisors in the Enforcement Division gave preferential treatment to the Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley in an investigation, the IG concluded in a report dated September 30, 2008 that senior Enforcement officials including Director Linda Thomsen should be disciplined. The IG investigation took eight months; involved the testimony or memoranda from 51 separate witnesses including five separate testimony sessions of Aguirre; involved the review of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of emails and documents; and ultimately resulted in a 191-page report.
In another IG investigation that resulted in a separate report also dated September 30, the IG concluded after an extensive investigation that SEC Regional Director David Nelson failed to vigorously enforce compliance with securities laws in connection with the W Holding Company, Inc. and Bear Stearns investigation. The IG recommended that Nelson be subject to disciplinary and/or performance-based action.
