An independent public interest group has asked the SEC’s Inspector General to investigate press reports that Staff members are using private e-mails to conduct agency matters to avoid oversight by the SEC’s IG. 

Given the activity of the SEC’s IG over the last several years, the Staff seems reluctant to have their conduct under public scrutiny.  Press reports indicate the Staff is using private e-mails to avoid turning over documentation to the SEC’s IG and public interest groups.

If this is the case, there could be significant consequences for the SEC Staff engaging in this behavior since official recordkeeping requires the avoidance of such activitiy.  Time will tell if the SEC Staff has engaged in this conduct.