SEC's 2016 Activity Breaks Enforcement And Whistleblower Records

Earlier this month, the SEC (the "Agency") announced that it initiated a record-breaking 868 enforcement actions in fiscal year 2016. This figure – along with other milestones – reflect the Agency's commitment to expanding the scope and reach of its enforcement programs to pursue an array of federal securities law violations.

The SEC attributed its record-setting numbers to, among other things, the use of new data analytics to discover fraud, an increased focus on novel and significant actions (such as the Agency's recent jury trial victory against the City of Miami and its former budget director), and increased attention on attorneys, investment advisers, auditors, and other gatekeepers.