Jefferies Group the maverick Los Angeles brokerage on the mend after its founder resigned last year for securities violations, said Thursday that it received an unsolicited inquiry from an unnamed party interested in acquiring a controlling stake. The company also said it enacted a "poison pill" takeover defense designed to discourage hostile bids. The company noted, however, that no formal offer was made and that the poison pill was not enacted in response to any offers or indications of interest. (excerpt)