Steven Rattner couldn't close out his deal and dealings with federal authorities, as the SEC postponed its vote on a preliminary settlement with the former Obama administration ("Car Czar") official and Wall Street financier.  A Thursday vote by the SEC's 5 commissioners - on a deal to settle its investigation into Mr. Rattner's role in a pay-to-play scheme surrounding New York state's public pension fund - was pulled from the commissioners' agenda. 

    Possible Deal Terms.   Mr. Rattner apparently has agreed to pay about $6 million and be barred from the industry for a multi-year term.

The SEC staff alerted the office of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, which is conducting a parallel probe, about their deal with Mr. Rattner prior to Thursday.  This reportedly prompted a negative reaction from Cuomo's office, although it's not clear why.  It wasn't because Mr. Rattner was hesitating about terms of the deal.  A spokeserson for Cuomo's office said said: "... we are each independent, even though sometimes we reach coordinated resolutions of cases.  Currently, both offices have ongoing matters with Mr. Rattner.  But, as always, the SEC is free to reach whatever disposition it believes is appropriate." 

Mr. Cuomo, the Democratic candidate for governor of New York, has secured 7 guilty pleas in the probe, which has focused on allegations that state officials and a political adviser traded access to business from the roughly $125 billion fund in exchange for kickbacks, political favors and personal benefits.  Mr. Rattner was drawn into the investigation in connection with his work at his former PE firm, Quadrangle Group.  The firm's accused by the SEC of participating in a "widespread kickback scheme" that helped secure an investment from the fund.  Mr. Rattner also is alleged to have helped arrange distribution of a low-budget movie, "Chooch," produced by the brother of a pension official.   [WSJournal, 10/14]