FBI raids 3 hedge funds in widespread insider-trading probe

Federal investigators raided the offices of three hedge funds Monday, a federal law enforcement official said, advancing a broad investigation into insider trading.

FBI agents searched the offices of Level Global Investors in New York City; Diamondback Capital Management in Stamford, Conn.; and Loch Capital Management in Boston.

"The FBI is executing court-authorized search warrants in an ongoing investigation. This matter is sealed, and we have no additional comment," said Richard Kolko, an FBI spokesman.

The raids come as federal prosecutors in New York are in the advanced stages of an extensive insider-trading probe that could lead to criminal charges against Wall Street traders and executives, according to law enforcement officials.

Authorities had planned to file charges in the investigation by year's end but are now considering moving up the timetable after details of the probe came out in an article in the Wall Street Journal on Saturday.

Preet Bharara, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, has led the charge on insider-trading investigations, calling them a "top criminal priority" and warning of "rampant" insider trading.

Andy Merrill, a spokesman for Level Global, said that the FBI visited the company Monday morning "as part of what we believe to be a broader investigation of the financial services industry."

Diamondback Capital said in a statement e-mailed to reporters: "We received an inquiry this morning from the FBI. Diamondback is voluntarily cooperating."

A lawyer for Loch did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

According to published reports, SAC Capital Advisors, one of the biggest names in the hedge fund world, run by billionaire investor Steven A. Cohen, is being examined by investigators. Level Global and Diamondback were founded by former SAC employees.

A spokesman for SAC did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Diamondback owns stock in 706 companies - mostly energy and financial services businesses - with a value of $4.13 billion, according to Bloomberg News. Level Global owns stocks in 77 companies worth $3.08 billion, according to Bloomberg. Loch is smaller.