Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2015

To enhance civil penalties under the Federal securities laws, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2015 2. Updated civil money penalties for securities laws violations (a) Securities Act of 1933 (1) Money penalties in administrative actions Section 8A(g)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 ( 15 U.S.C. 77h–1(g)(2) (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking $7,500 $10,000 (ii) by striking $75,000 $100,000 (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking $75,000 $100,000 (ii) by striking $375,000 $500,000 (C) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following: (C) Third tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the amount of penalty for each such act or omission shall not exceed the greater of— (i) $1,000,000 for a natural person or $10,000,000 for any other person; (ii) 3 times the gross amount of pecuniary gain to the person who committed the act or omission; or (iii) the amount of losses incurred by victims as a result of the act or omission, if— (I) the act or omission described in paragraph (1) involved fraud, deceit, manipulation, or deliberate or reckless disregard of a regulatory requirement; and (II) such act or omission directly or indirectly resulted in— (aa) substantial losses or created a significant risk of substantial losses to other persons; or (bb) substantial pecuniary gain to the person who committed the act or omission. . (2) Money penalties in civil actions Section 20(d)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 ( 15 U.S.C. 77t(d)(2) (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking $5,000 $10,000 (ii) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (ii) by striking $250,000 $500,000 (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking greater of (i) $100,000 for a natural person or $500,000 for any other person, or (ii) the gross amount of pecuniary gain to such defendant as a result of the violation greater of— (i) $1,000,000 for a natural person or $10,000,000 for any other person; (ii) 3 times the gross amount of pecuniary gain to such defendant as a result of the violation; or (iii) the amount of losses incurred by victims as a result of the violation . (b) Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1) Money penalties in civil actions Section 21(d)(3)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( 15 U.S.C. 78u(d)(3)(B) (A) in clause (i)— (i) by striking $5,000 $10,000 (ii) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (B) in clause (ii)— (i) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (ii) by striking $250,000 $500,000 (C) in clause (iii), by striking greater of (I) $100,000 for a natural person or $500,000 for any other person, or (II) the gross amount of pecuniary gain to such defendant as a result of the violation greater of— (I) $1,000,000 for a natural person or $10,000,000 for any other person; (II) 3 times the gross amount of pecuniary gain to such defendant as a result of the violation; or (III) the amount of losses incurred by victims as a result of the violation . (2) Money penalties in administrative actions Section 21B(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( 15 U.S.C. 78u–2(b) (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking $5,000 $10,000 (ii) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (ii) by striking $250,000 $500,000 (C) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: (3) Third tier Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), the amount of penalty for each such act or omission shall not exceed the greater of— (A) $1,000,000 for a natural person or $10,000,000 for any other person; (B) 3 times the gross amount of pecuniary gain to the person who committed the act or omission; or (C) the amount of losses incurred by victims as a result of the act or omission, if— (i) the act or omission described in subsection (a) involved fraud, deceit, manipulation, or deliberate or reckless disregard of a regulatory requirement; and (ii) such act or omission directly or indirectly resulted in substantial losses or created a significant risk of substantial losses to other persons or resulted in substantial pecuniary gain to the person who committed the act or omission. . (c) Investment Company Act of 1940 (1) Money penalties in administrative actions Section 9(d)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80a–9(d)(2) (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking $5,000 $10,000 (ii) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (ii) by striking $250,000 $500,000 (C) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following: (C) Third tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the amount of penalty for each such act or omission shall not exceed the greater of— (i) $1,000,000 for a natural person or $10,000,000 for any other person; (ii) 3 times the gross amount of pecuniary gain to the person who committed the act or omission; or (iii) the amount of losses incurred by victims as a result of the act or omission, if— (I) the act or omission described in paragraph (1) involved fraud, deceit, manipulation, or deliberate or reckless disregard of a regulatory requirement; and (II) such act or omission directly or indirectly resulted in substantial losses or created a significant risk of substantial losses to other persons or resulted in substantial pecuniary gain to the person who committed the act or omission. . (2) Money penalties in civil actions Section 42(e)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80a–41(e)(2) (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking $5,000 $10,000 (ii) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (ii) by striking $250,000 $500,000 (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking greater of (i) $100,000 for a natural person or $500,000 for any other person, or (ii) the gross amount of pecuniary gain to such defendant as a result of the violation greater of— (i) $1,000,000 for a natural person or $10,000,000 for any other person; (ii) 3 times the gross amount of pecuniary gain to such defendant as a result of the violation; or (iii) the amount of losses incurred by victims as a result of the violation . (d) Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (1) Money penalties in administrative actions Section 203(i)(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80b–3(i)(2) (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking $5,000 $10,000 (ii) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (ii) by striking $250,000 $500,000 (C) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following: (C) Third tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the amount of penalty for each such act or omission shall not exceed the greater of— (i) $1,000,000 for a natural person or $10,000,000 for any other person; (ii) 3 times the gross amount of pecuniary gain to the person who committed the act or omission; or (iii) the amount of losses incurred by victims as a result of the act or omission, if— (I) the act or omission described in paragraph (1) involved fraud, deceit, manipulation, or deliberate or reckless disregard of a regulatory requirement; and (II) such act or omission directly or indirectly resulted in substantial losses or created a significant risk of substantial losses to other persons or resulted in substantial pecuniary gain to the person who committed the act or omission. . (2) Money penalties in civil actions Section 209(e)(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80b–9(e)(2) (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking $5,000 $10,000 (ii) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking $50,000 $100,000 (ii) by striking $250,000 $500,000 (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking greater of (i) $100,000 for a natural person or $500,000 for any other person, or (ii) the gross amount of pecuniary gain to such defendant as a result of the violation greater of— (i) $1,000,000 for a natural person or $10,000,000 for any other person; (ii) 3 times the gross amount of pecuniary gain to such defendant as a result of the violation; or (iii) the amount of losses incurred by victims as a result of the violation . 3. Penalties for recidivists (a) Securities Act of 1933 (1) Cease-and-desist proceedings Section 8A(g)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 ( 15 U.S.C. 77h–1(g)(2) (D) Fourth tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the maximum amount of penalty for each such act or omission shall be 3 times the otherwise applicable amount in such subparagraphs if, within the 5-year period preceding such act or omission, the person who committed the act or omission was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Commission action alleging fraud by that person. . (2) Injunctions and prosecution of offenses Section 20(d)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 ( 15 U.S.C. 77t(d)(2) (D) Fourth tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the maximum amount of penalty for each such violation shall be 3 times the otherwise applicable amount in such subparagraphs if, within the 5-year period preceding such violation, the defendant was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Commission action alleging fraud by that defendant. . (b) Securities exchange Act of 1934 (1) Civil actions Section 21(d)(3)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( 15 U.S.C. 78u(d)(3)(B) (iv) Fourth tier Notwithstanding clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), the maximum amount of penalty for each such violation shall be 3 times the otherwise applicable amount in such clauses if, within the 5-year period preceding such violation, the defendant was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Commission action alleging fraud by that defendant. . (2) Administrative proceedings Section 21B(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( 15 U.S.C. 78u–2(b) (4) Fourth tier Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the maximum amount of penalty for each such act or omission shall be 3 times the otherwise applicable amount in such paragraphs if, within the 5-year period preceding such act or omission, the person who committed the act or omission was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Commission action alleging fraud by that person. . (c) Investment company Act of 1940 (1) Ineligibility of certain underwriters and affiliates Section 9(d)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80a–9(d)(2) (D) Fourth tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the maximum amount of penalty for each such act or omission shall be 3 times the otherwise applicable amount in such subparagraphs if, within the 5-year period preceding such act or omission, the person who committed the act or omission was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Commission action alleging fraud by that person. . (2) Enforcement Section 42(e)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80a–41(e)(2) (D) Fourth tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the maximum amount of penalty for each such violation shall be 3 times the otherwise applicable amount in such subparagraphs if, within the 5-year period preceding such violation, the defendant was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Commission action alleging fraud by that defendant. . (d) Investment advisers Act of 1940 The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80b–1 et seq. (1) in section 203(i)(2) ( 15 U.S.C. 80b–3(i)(2) (D) Fourth tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the maximum amount of penalty for each such act or omission shall be 3 times the otherwise applicable amount in such subparagraphs if, within the 5-year period preceding such act or omission, the person who committed the act or omission was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Commission action alleging fraud by that person. ; and (2) in section 209(e)(2) ( 15 U.S.C. 80b–9(e)(2) (D) Fourth tier Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), the maximum amount of penalty for each such violation shall be 3 times the otherwise applicable amount in such subparagraphs if, within the 5-year period preceding such violation, the defendant was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Commission action alleging fraud by that defendant. . 4. Violations of injunctions and bars (a) Securities Act of 1933 Section 20(d) of the Securities Act of 1933 ( 15 U.S.C. 77t(d) (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after the rules or regulations thereunder, a Federal court injunction or a bar obtained or entered by the Commission under this title, (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: (4) Special provisions relating to a violation of an injunction or certain orders (A) In general Each separate violation of an injunction or order described in subparagraph (B) shall be a separate offense, except that in the case of a violation through a continuing failure to comply with such injunction or order, each day of the failure to comply with the injunction or order shall be deemed a separate offense. (B) Injunctions and orders Subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to any action to enforce— (i) a Federal court injunction obtained pursuant to this title; (ii) an order entered or obtained by the Commission pursuant to this title that bars, suspends, places limitations on the activities or functions of, or prohibits the activities of, a person; or (iii) a cease-and-desist order entered by the Commission pursuant to section 8A. . (b) Securities exchange Act of 1934 Section 21(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( 15 U.S.C. 78u(d)(3) (1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting after the rules or regulations thereunder, a Federal court injunction or a bar obtained or entered by the Commission under this title, (2) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following: (D) Special provisions relating to a violation of an injunction or certain orders (i) In general Each separate violation of an injunction or order described in clause (ii) shall be a separate offense, except that in the case of a violation through a continuing failure to comply with such injunction or order, each day of the failure to comply with the injunction or order shall be deemed a separate offense. (ii) Injunctions and orders Clause (i) shall apply with respect to an action to enforce— (I) a Federal court injunction obtained pursuant to this title; (II) an order entered or obtained by the Commission pursuant to this title that bars, suspends, places limitations on the activities or functions of, or prohibits the activities of, a person; or (III) a cease-and-desist order entered by the Commission pursuant to section 21C. . (c) Investment company Act of 1940 Section 42(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80a–41(e) (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after the rules or regulations thereunder, a Federal court injunction or a bar obtained or entered by the Commission under this title, (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: (4) Special provisions relating to a violation of an injunction or certain orders (A) In general Each separate violation of an injunction or order described in subparagraph (B) shall be a separate offense, except that in the case of a violation through a continuing failure to comply with such injunction or order, each day of the failure to comply with the injunction or order shall be deemed a separate offense. (B) Injunctions and orders Subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to any action to enforce— (i) a Federal court injunction obtained pursuant to this title; (ii) an order entered or obtained by the Commission pursuant to this title that bars, suspends, places limitations on the activities or functions of, or prohibits the activities of, a person; or (iii) a cease-and-desist order entered by the Commission pursuant to section 9(f). . (d) Investment advisers Act of 1940 Section 209(e) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ( 15 U.S.C. 80b–9(e) (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after the rules or regulations thereunder, a Federal court injunction or a bar obtained or entered by the Commission under this title, (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: (4) Special provisions relating to a violation of an injunction or certain orders (A) In general Each separate violation of an injunction or order described in subparagraph (B) shall be a separate offense, except that in the case of a violation through a continuing failure to comply with such injunction or order, each day of the failure to comply with the injunction or order shall be deemed a separate offense. (B) Injunctions and orders Subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to any action to enforce— (i) a Federal court injunction obtained pursuant to this title; (ii) an order entered or obtained by the Commission pursuant to this title that bars, suspends, places limitations on the activities or functions of, or prohibits the activities of, a person; or (iii) a cease-and-desist order entered by the Commission pursuant to section 203(k). .

Summary: Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2015 Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to increase the money penalties in administrative and civil actions involving securities laws violations. Prescribes a fourth tier penalty of triple monetary penalties for noncompliance with certain enforcement actions if the violator, within the five-year period preceding the prohibited act, was criminally convicted for securities fraud or became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in any Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) action alleging fraud by such violator. Applies the treatment as a separate offense each day that a violation of an SEC cease-and-desist order is committed through continuing noncompliance to violation of any action to enforce a federal court injunction or certain SEC orders that bar, suspend, place limitations on the activities or functions of, or prohibit the activities of, a person.