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For Immediate Release:	Contact: Heather Sewell
January 14, 2003	(317) 232-6584

Indianapolis, IN - Secretary of State Todd Rokita announced his selection for Securities Commissioner today. Rokita appointed Deputy Attorney General James A. Joven to direct the Securities Division. Joven assumes his responsibilities on January 27, 2003.

Joven is an Indianapolis native and currently serves as Section Chief of the Tobacco Litigation Section for the Office of the Attorney General. Joven, who has ten years of experience, will bring to the Securities Division a strong legal background, after having worked on tobacco litigation and defending Indiana's no-call list. Joven's 21-member Securities Division staff consists of attorneys, investigators, and administrative staff. "During my campaign, I said I wanted to go after swindlers while still protecting honest businesses. My appointment of Jim Joven to this post is a step in that direction," stated Secretary Rokita.

Rokita will charge Joven with developing a working relationship with prosecutors throughout the state and with other organizations to aggressively pursue violators of Indiana securities laws. "I have already begun conversations with the Indiana Prosecuting Attorney's Council to ensure that the Division has stronger criminal enforcement while maximizing already scarce resources," stated Secretary Rokita. In addition, Joven will be the lead enforcer in the Division and will concentrate on investor education. "I will work to safeguard elderly Hoosiers against securities fraud," stated Joven.

Joven is a Wabash College graduate and earned his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law at Bloomington. Joven succeeds Bradley W. Skolnik, who held the post for the past eight years.

"Jim and the rest of the Securities Division will go after the bad apples and protect Hoosier investors," commented Secretary Rokita.