SEC bars Egan-Jones from rating gov't, other bonds
SEC bars Egan-Jones from rating gov't, some other bonds for 18 months in settlement
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission is barring Egan-Jones Ratings Co. from rating governments and issuers of mortgages and other types of bonds for at least 18 months as a recognized ratings agency.
The SEC said Tuesday that the independent credit-rating firm agreed to the measure to settle charges that it had made false statements when applying to become a "Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization."
Egan-Jones in 2008 had allegedly claimed to have ratings on 150 asset-backed securities and 50 governments. But the SEC said it couldn't find any such ratings available online or through other "readily accessible" venues.
Asset-backed securities are often pools of mortgages or automotive loans.
Egan Jones and its founder, Sean Egan, agreed to the order without admitting any wrongdoing.
