THQ Says Regulators Reviewing Stock Options

Video game publisher THQ Inc. said Monday that the Securities and Exchange Commission requested documents and information related to its stock option grant practices from Jan. 1, 1996, to the present.

THQ, known for its Nickelodeon- and professional-wrestling-inspired games, said it intended to cooperate fully.

The SEC has more than 80 investigations underway into possible manipulation of companies’ grant dates of stock options to boost their value to executives.

The Justice Department has also set up a special task force in Northern California to examine potential criminal charges against some companies, and the Internal Revenue Service is probing about 40 companies.

THQ said it had been working on a voluntary internal review of its historical stock option grant practices before receiving notification of the inquiry.

The Agoura Hills company said its audit committee, which consists of independent board directors, intended to retain independent counsel to continue the internal review and to oversee the response to the SEC.

THQ announced the request after the close of regular trading. Its shares had fallen 57 cents to $23.89.