Yesterday, the SEC issued an unusual order In the Matter of Timbervest LLC et al., an administrative proceeding currently before the agency. Although styled an “Order,” the missive from the SEC was actually an extraordinary “invitation” directed to Administrative Law Judge Cameron Elliot. The Commission stated that
we are hereby inviting ALJ Elliot to file by July 1, 2015, an affidavit addressing whether he has had any communications or experienced any pressure similar to that alleged in the May 6, 2015 The Wall Street Journal article, “SEC Wins With In-House Judges,” and whether he is aware of any specific instances in which any other Commission ALJ has had such communications or experienced such pressure.
