Kara Novaco Brockmeyer, Chief of Enforcement’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Unit, is leaving the SEC later this month, ending a 17-year career. Upon her departure, Charles Cain, the Deputy Chief of the FCPA Unit, will serve as Acting Chief.

Since 2011, Ms. Brockmeyer has led a national unit of 38 attorneys, accountants, and other specialists focusing on violations of the anti-bribery and accounting provisions of the federal securities laws. Under Ms. Brockmeyer’s supervision of the FCPA unit, the SEC has brought 72 FCPA enforcement actions addressing a wide range of misconduct and resulting in judgments and orders totaling more than $2 billion in disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and penalties. 

She has also played a leading role in SEC programs, such as the Enforcement’s Cross Border Working Group, a proactive risk-based initiative focusing on U.S. companies with substantial foreign operations. She founded and served as co-head of that group.

Ms. Brockmeyer joined the SEC in 2000 following several years in private practice.  She started supervising investigations in 2002 and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2005.  In addition to FCPA investigations, Ms. Brockmeyer has substantial experience supervising matters involving financial fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and violations by regulated entities.