SEC Ends Stock Options Probe of THQ; No Charges Filed

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 27, 2008 - 9:31am.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) announced on Wednesday that it has received word that the SEC has completed its investigation into the company's stock options granting practices, and will not recommend any action against the company.

THQ said in August 2006 that the SEC had requested information related to its stock granting practices, and later said in January 2007 that its own independent investigation had revealed no evidence of fraud or misconduct.

Fellow video game publishers Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive have also been investigated by the SEC over "backdating," or changing the date on which options were granted in order to make them more valuable to employees.

While EA was exonerated, Take-Two saw several former executives plead guilty.

http://www.thq.com