Release: 4754-03
For Release: February 13, 2003

CFTC & FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS GATHER FOR COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT MEETING FOCUSED ON THE ENERGY MARKETS

CFTC’s Division of Enforcement Shares Investigative Experiences with Colleagues from the President’s Corporate Fraud Task Force

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) yesterday hosted forty federal criminal law enforcement officers at a cooperative enforcement session on current issues in energy investigations. Attending were Assistant United States Attorneys, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, and United States Postal Inspectors.

The CFTC’s Division of Enforcement, which coordinated the program, has been working closely with other federal law enforcement officers across the country on investigations of possible round-trip trading, false reporting, and fraud and manipulation by energy companies and their affiliates, employees and agents. The meeting was designed to share expertise, and to discuss ways for federal enforcers to cooperate in these inquiries.

According to CFTC Chairman James Newsome:

“The Commission’s goal is assuring that civil and criminal law enforcement officers investigating these sophisticated energy schemes share their legal theories and investigative methods to the fullest. We have established a terrific working relationship with our fellow Corporate Fraud Task Force members in the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys around the country, the FBI, and the Office of the U.S. Postal Inspectors. We greatly appreciate everyone’s willingness to join together to advance the cause of cooperative enforcement.”

Media Enforcement Contact:
Daniel Nathan, Chief, Office of Cooperative Enforcement
CFTC Division of Enforcement
(202) 418-5314

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