During an orientation program for newly registered representatives, a compliance officer explains the regulatory framework governing federal securities laws. Which of the following statements correctly describes the scope of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) enforcement authority?
- The SEC has civil enforcement authority to issue administrative fines and seek injunctions, but criminal prosecutions must be referred to the Department of Justice.Cevap
- BThe SEC holds direct statutory authority to criminally prosecute fraud violators and sentence individuals to federal prison terms.
- CThe SEC guarantees full financial restitution to retail investors who suffer account losses due to broker-dealer fraudulent practices.
- DThe SEC operates as a private self-regulatory organization (SRO) owned and governed by member securities firms.
Cevap
The SEC has civil enforcement authority to issue administrative fines and seek injunctions, but criminal prosecutions must be referred to the Department of Justice.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent federal government administrative agency established by Congress. It possesses broad civil enforcement authority, enabling it to file civil lawsuits in federal court, conduct administrative proceedings, levy civil monetary penalties, and order the disgorgement of ill-gotten gains. However, criminal law enforcement and imprisonment powers belong strictly to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), to which the SEC refers potential criminal cases.
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SEC Enforcement Scope and Criminal Referral Authority
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