The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Karol L.K. Pollock has been named the new leader of the examination program in the Los Angeles Regional Office.

Ms. Pollock has nearly 25 years of experience in securities enforcement and examination regulation at the SEC, FINRA, and New Mexico Securities Division as well as in the private sector.  She has worked in the SEC’s Los Angeles office for the past 10 years, starting as a staff attorney in the Enforcement Division and later serving as a branch chief.  In 2009, she became Assistant Director of the exam program, and was named Deputy Associate Director last year.

In her new role as Associate Director of the exam program in the Los Angeles office, Ms. Pollock will oversee a staff of approximately 60 examiners, accountants, and attorneys responsible for examining firms in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and Guam.

“Karol has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting investors and our capital markets in a way that is fair, creative, and effective,” said Andrew Bowden, Director of the SEC’s National Exam Program.  “We are thrilled to recognize her accomplishments and promote her leadership in the National Exam Program.”

Michele Wein Layne, Director of the Los Angeles Regional Office, added, “Karol has been an inspiring leader in our office beyond our examinations program, and we are very fortunate to have her assume full leadership of our exemplary exam staff.  Karol’s tireless and enthusiastic commitment to investor protection is a true inspiration for her colleagues throughout the SEC.”

Ms. Pollock said, “I greatly admire the talent and dedication of the exam staff and look forward to working with them to protect investors.”

During her tenure, Ms. Pollock played a significant role in numerous SEC enforcement actions, including a 2008 case against five former San Diego city officials involved in inadequate municipal securities disclosures.  She also helped litigate a case against the former CEO and former CFO of Gemstar-TV Guide International for their roles in a widespread and complex scheme to inflate licensing and advertising revenues. 

Ms. Pollock is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Loyola University School of Law.

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