The SEC reported that it filed 868 enforcement actions in fiscal year 2016, with a material increase in charges of financial misconduct related to investment companies, investment advisers, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Additionally, the SEC "brought a record 548 standalone or independent enforcement actions and obtained judgments and orders totaling more than $4 billion in disgorgement and penalties."
SEC Chair Mary Jo White praised the Commission's efforts and results:
By every measure, the enforcement program continues to be a resounding success, holding executives, companies and market participants accountable for their illegal actions.
Commentary / Steven Lofchie
U.S. financial regulators judge themselves on the number of charges they bring and the amount of money they collect. It might be productive to judge success based on the quality of the rules adopted and the impact of those rules on the state of the economy.
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