The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has named a former federal prosecutor as its new enforcement chief.

SEC chairman Mary Schapiro announced that Robert Khuzami, who served as a federal prosecutor for 11 years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, has been named director of the division of enforcement. Although he was a prosecutor until 2004, Khuzami has been general counsel for the Americas at Deutsche Bank AG since then.

Prior to his stint at Deutsche Bank, Khuzami was chief of the U.S. attorney’s securities and commodities fraud task force for three years, at which he prosecuted numerous complex securities and white-collar criminal matters, including those involving insider trading, Ponzi schemes, accounting and financial statement fraud, organized crime infiltration of the securities markets, and IPO and investment adviser fraud, the SEC said.

“I’m pleased to have Rob join the SEC in such an important role at this crucial time,” said Schapiro. “As we work to improve investor confidence in the markets, our enforcement efforts are vital. Throughout his career, Rob has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to prosecuting wrongdoers and protecting citizens. As a former federal prosecutor, Rob is well-suited to lead the SEC’s Division of Enforcement as we continue to crack down on those who would betray the trust of investors.”

Khuzami said: “As head of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, the staff and I will relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those whose misconduct infects our markets, corrodes investor confidence and has caused so much financial suffering. I am honored to join chairman Schapiro, the commissioners and the dedicated SEC staff in this critical effort.”