The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially appointed Kevin Muhlendorf as its new Inspector General, effective July 28th. Muhlendorf brings extensive expertise from his previous roles at the SEC and the Department of Justice, complemented by nearly a decade as a partner at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, D.C. His legal practice specialized in white-collar criminal defense and government investigations, particularly in securities enforcement cases. This appointment underscores the SEC’s commitment to strengthening oversight and regulatory compliance within the financial sector.
During his tenure in private practice, Muhlendorf led numerous high-profile internal investigations and advised clients on complex compliance issues. Notably, from 2023 to 2024, he served as Acting Inspector General at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), managing a team of auditors and investigators. His leadership included the development of a whistleblower reward pilot program, reflecting his focus on enhancing transparency and accountability in public institutions.
With Acting Inspector General Katherine Reilly returning to her role as Deputy Inspector General, Muhlendorf’s appointment is poised to reinforce the SEC’s mission to uphold market integrity and protect investors through rigorous oversight and enforcement.