U.S. securities regulator files record number of enforcement actions in 2011

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a record 735 enforcement actions in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the agency reported in a release.
The number includes many cases involving highly complex products, transactions and market practices, including those related to the financial crisis as well as insider trading by market professionals.
The SEC enforcement actions sought more than $2.8 billion in penalties and disgorgement ordered in fiscal year 2011.
Among the cases filed by the SEC, 15 were separate actions naming 17 individuals, including 16 CEOs, CFOs and other senior corporate officers, involving wrongdoing related to the financial crisis.