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On the SEC's 2010 enforcement cooperation program

Author

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  • Leone, Andrew J.
  • Li, Edward Xuejun
  • Liu, Michelle

Abstract

This study examines changes in SEC enforcement and firm cooperation after the SEC introduced its new cooperation program in 2010. While previous research shows that the SEC penalized cooperative firms prior to 2010, our results suggest that after that year, it rewarded cooperation, especially good faith actions. We also find that after 2010, the SEC increased mentions of cooperation in public speeches and publicized more details about firm cooperative activities in AAERs. Finally, we find some evidence that misconduct firms increased good faith cooperation after the SEC revised its cooperation program in 2010. Our findings suggest that having a more explicit leniency program improves its effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Leone, Andrew J. & Li, Edward Xuejun & Liu, Michelle, 2021. "On the SEC's 2010 enforcement cooperation program," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:71:y:2021:i:1:s0165410120300574
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2020.101355
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    SEC enforcement; Cooperation; Leniency; Prosecutorial discretion; Restatement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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