In an 8-K filing with the SEC this week, MSCI Inc. disclosed that a whistleblower complaint against a subsidiary, the proxy advisory service Institutional Shareholder Services, has led to a Wells Notice being issued, in advance of a public administrative proceeding, by the Securities and Exchange Commissions Division of Enforcement.
On Feb. 13, 2012, the company disclosed that it was contacted by a reporter concerning allegations that an ISS employee provided proxy voting information to proxy solicitors in return for cash and other gifts. An internal investigation was launched and the suspected employee was placed on administrative leave.
via SEC Issues Wells Notice to Proxy Adviser ISS – Compliance Week