WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said Tuesday that it had identified a “control defect” which allowed enforcement personnel access to certain adjudicatory memos meant to be used in commission decision-making.

After a thorough review, the SEC found that agency enforcement personnel had had access to adjudicatory memos they shouldn’t have. This was in relation to adjudicatory cases currently being litigated in federal court. According to the SEC, the SEC chair immediately notified the other commissioners. The review was then initiated.

According to the review, access didn’t affect the investigation and prosecution of the cases nor the decision-making by the commission in these matters.

The investigation and enforcement staff assigned to a matter in agency adjudication proceedings cannot generally participate in the decisions of the commission. The agency’s administrative law judge is hearing the proceedings.

Although it was unclear from the agency’s initial statement, when was the first notice of the deficit? However, the agency reported a control problem in its November financial report. The agency is continuing to review the situation in order to determine the extent and impact.