SEC Inspector General H. David Kotz, a larger-that-life personality on the federal government circuit, is leaving the Commission to become a private eye - following in the footsteps of his probable idol, Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart).  Mr. Kotz will leave at the end of January to join a PI (private investigative services) firm. Since his appointment in December 2007, Mr. Kotz has directed many important investigations and audits that led to significant improvements of the agency’s operations.  His work has drawn both the wrath of fellow SEC staffers and the adoration of Congressional leaders.

"David has been a committed public servant who has served the agency with great distinction for the past four years.  His work helped us to identify areas where we needed to improve the way we operate, bolster our resources, and upgrade our technology.” -- SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro.

Mr. Kotz responded: "I am tremendously proud of the accomplishments of my office and the agency over the past four years. The reports we have issued have not only been significant to the agency, Congress and the investing public, but they have also directly resulted in a transformation of many of the divisions and offices of the Commission. While I will miss doing this important work, I am gratified knowing that nearly every aspect of the SEC has been significantly improved in the four years since I was named Inspector General. I owe particular thanks to Chairman Schapiro for her leadership and support of the Office of Inspector General." Next Stop. Mr. Kotz joins the investigative services firm of Gryphon Strategies as a Managing Director in its Washington, D.C. office.  He plans to focus on corporate fraud investigations, and assist whistleblowers in exposing fraud and improving government accountability. Prior to the SEC. Mr. Kotz previously served as the Inspector General of the Peace Corps and worked in several other senior level capacities for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  Before his government service, Mr. Kotz practiced at private law firms, including Pepper Hamilton LLP in Washington D.C.  Mr. Kotz earned a BA in Government and Politics from U. of Maryland (1987) and a JD at Cornell Law School (1990). For further details, go to:  [SEC PR 12-9, 1/17/12].