FTC’s Simons to Step Down Jan. 29; Chopra Leaving to Lead CFPB

FTC Chairman Joe Simons will step down Jan. 29, the agency announced Tuesday (see 2011130044). Also, Commissioner Rohit Chopra will leave the commission to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Biden transition team announced Monday. Chopra previously was CFPB assistant director. Simons said “as technology and our economy continue to evolve through the digital age, the FTC’s staff work tirelessly so that consumers continue to benefit from a fair and competitive marketplace.” Other senior staff leaving: General Counsel Alden Abbott (see personals section, Jan. 14), Competition Bureau Director Ian Conner, Competition Bureau Deputy Directors Gail Levine and Daniel Francis, Consumer Protection Bureau Director Andrew Smith, Economics Bureau Director Andrew Sweeting, Office of Public Affairs Director Cathy MacFarlane and Office of Policy Planning Director Bilal Sayyed.