On August 5, 2009, the Director of the Division of Enforcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Robert Khuzami, outlined multiple new steps the SEC is taking to increase enforcement of securities laws and regulations in the wake of high-profile cases and losses for investors, such as the Bernard Madoff ponzi scheme.

In his wide-ranging speech, Director Khuzami explained that the SEC, and specifically the Division of Enforcement, plans to emphasize enforcement actions that have the greatest impact on investors in that matter or the greatest deterrent effect on other marketplace participants.