On Friday, the SEC filled a key senior position in the Division of Enforcement, naming Melissa Hodgman as Associate Director. Hodgman fills the position left vacant when Stephen L. Cohen departed the agency in June 2016. Hodgman has been with the SEC in its Enforcement Division since 2008, most recently as an Assistant Director. She has also served as a member of the agency's Market Abuse Unit since 2010, and leads the Enforcement Division’s Cross-Border Working Group

In her new position of Associate Director, Hodgman will supervise nearly 60 attorneys and other professionals responsible for investigating and pursuing enforcement matters including accounting and disclosure fraud, insider trading, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, registered and unregistered securities offerings, market abuses, broker-dealers, and investment advisers. Andrew J. Ceresney, Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division, said that Hodgman had "distinguished herself with her excellent judgment and creativity, and I am pleased to have her join the senior ranks of the Enforcement Division."

During her career with the SEC, Hodgman has led several noteworthy cases, including the June 2016 case against Albert Fried & Company. This was the SEC's first-ever case against a brokerage firm solely for failing to file SARs when appropriate. Hodgman also led the SEC's case against Charles Schwab Investment Management, Charles Schwab & Co., and two executives alleging misleading statements regarding the Schwab YieldPlus Fund and failing to establish, maintain and enforce policies and procedures to prevent the misuse of material, nonpublic information.

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