Daniel Tanaka, Director of the Securities Division for the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, says his office has “no higher priority” than

Daniel Tanaka,Director NM Securities Division

investigating the forged audit of the New Mexico Finance Authority’s 2011 fiscal year.  He would neither confirm nor deny that his investigators have interviewed Greg Campbell, the former NMFA controller who is being blamed for the forgery.  “We are working very hard and have dedicated substantial resources to thoroughly investigate this matter and hold those responsible for any violations of the law.”

Though he is keeping the details of his investigation under wraps, Mr. Tanaka has stated publicly that, ““A preliminary review by our investigative team confirms that the 2011 audit report circulated to investors was in fact a forgery.”  He has also stated that potential fraud withing the NMFA extends beyond the forged 2011 audit.

Tanaka is the chief regulator of the securities markets and industry in New Mexico.  The Securities Division has served a document subpoena on the NNFA,  He has told the NMFA Board that his office has been in daily coordination with the State Auditor since the fraud was discovered.  He has demanded that the NMFA provide him “unfettered access to documents and personnel.”  As stated on the website for the Securities Division, one of its primary objectives “is to aggressively pursue criminal and civil actions against individuals or firms accused of defrauding investors.”

Tanaka was appointed to his current position in April 2011 by Governor Susana Martinez.  He has been with the Securities Division since 2008, and has been credited with the transformation of the office into a full fledged law enforcement agency.  Previously, he ran a branch office for an international securities firm.  He attended St. John’s College in Santa Fe and graduated from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York with a B.A. in Forensic Psychology.

Related stories:  The Cheap Forgery That May Cost New Mexico Millions

Man at the Center of the NMFA Controversy: “I put those papers together with no malicious intent.”

NMFA’s Greg Campbell Makes His First Public Statements:  Evasions, Contradictions and More Confusion

Greg Campbell:  The Man the New Mexico Finance Authority Blames for Its Fake Audit