Criminal Liability - Securities Exchange Act of 1934 - Explained
Criminal Liability under the 34 Act
Written by Jason Gordon
Updated at September 25th, 2021
- Marketing, Advertising, Sales & PR
- Accounting, Taxation, and Reporting
- Professionalism & Career Development
-
Law, Transactions, & Risk Management
Government, Legal System, Administrative Law, & Constitutional Law Legal Disputes - Civil & Criminal Law Agency Law HR, Employment, Labor, & Discrimination Business Entities, Corporate Governance & Ownership Business Transactions, Antitrust, & Securities Law Real Estate, Personal, & Intellectual Property Commercial Law: Contract, Payments, Security Interests, & Bankruptcy Consumer Protection Insurance & Risk Management Immigration Law Environmental Protection Law Inheritance, Estates, and Trusts
- Business Management & Operations
- Economics, Finance, & Analytics
- Courses
Table of Contents
What is criminal liability under the 1934 Act?Discussion QuestionAcademic ResearchWhat is criminal liability under the 1934 Act?
The 34 Act provides for criminal sanctions for willful violations of its statutes or corresponding regulations. More specifically, it imposes liability for false, material misstatement in applications, reports, documents, and registration statements. Individuals face up to a 25-year sentence and business entities face fines of up to $25 million. Many professionals (accountants) have been found guilty for failure to disclose information. The common defense for this criminal charge is a lack of intent to deceive or defraud.
Note: Most criminal prosecutions occur under Section 10(b) or Rule 10(b)(5).
Next Article: Securities Enforcement Remedies Act Back to: SECURITIES LAW
Related Topics
- The Security Exchange Act of 1934
- When must an issuer register pursuant to the 34 Act?
- What disclosures are required of reporting companies under the 34 Act?
- What is liability under Section 10(b) and Rule 10(b)(5)?
- What is insider trading under Rule 10(b)(5)?
- What damages are available under Section 10 and Rule 10(b)(5)?
- What is insider trading under Section 14 of the 34 Act?
- What is liability under Section 16 of the 34 Act?
- What is liability under Section 18 of the 34 Act?
- What is criminal liability under the 34 Act?
Discussion Question
How do you feel about the possibility of criminal liability for violation of the securities laws? Should these penalties be reserved for intentional deceit? Why or why not?