An effective corporate compliance program may temper a Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement action, or – if there is an enforcement action – limit the penalties imposed. See http://www.sec.gov/News/Speech/Detail/Speech/1370539872783#.UlbOPVOHiJR .
Agency enforcers make judgments every day regarding the entities and individuals under investigation, and companies that demonstrate an effective compliance program and a genuine commitment to ethical principles benefit. The SEC also considers a company's compliance program as a factor in charging decisions. For example, a strong compliance program makes it less likely that the parent company will be charged over a subsidiary's misconduct for acts of a subsidiary. Effective compliance programs also catch misconduct early, demonstrating adequacy.
In sum, proper and effective compliance is like vitamin C, keeps the doctor, or in this case, the SEC away.
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