You can’t fine a business just to reduce inequality. Any jurisdiction that starts ruling that way fails basic definitions for rule of law. (This is in part what ruined Argentina.)
Also, in what universe would larger fines for banks decrease income inequality? The history of enforcement is capricious penalties increase incentives for cover-ups. If a record retention mistake means personal bankruptcy, you have zero incentive to correct mistakes. In practice, this leads to corruption among regulators, who are now the de facto commanders of private business.
> due to pussyfooted enforcement on white collar crime
Where is the crime here? The SEC investigated and found no wilful wrongdoing. Those twelve private plaintiffs are going to win judgements, as will everyone else who brings claims which could reasonably by covered by the missing records.
The crime was identified, which is why JP Morgan was fined. Once a corporate entity is operating at a sufficient scale, it does not matter if the people inside willingly mess up. The organization is required to be run properly. The problem is that slaps on the wrist for failure do not suffice as environmental stressors for corporate evolution.
As for what we can do, the possibilities are endless. We shape society however we like, and that is the highest form of art humans engage in.
> crime was identified, which is why JP Morgan was fined
The SEC is a civil agency. No crimes.
> organization is required to be run properly
It’s that easy? Just require good organization and you’ll get it by diktat? This entire thread seems to require a reading of Argentinian and modern Egyptian and Russian economic history.
Evidently you don't get well run organizations by simply having legislation, which is my point. We do not enforce that legislation appropriately.
I'm confused by your point regarding the SEC, how are they allowed to fine a company without legal basis? If my use of the word "crime" means something different to you, I mean "crime" as anything that breaks the law.
> I'm confused by your point regarding the SEC, how are they allowed to fine a company without legal basis?
There is a legal basis: retention requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
From the SEC order: “As a result of the conduct described above, JPMorgan willfully violated Section 17(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 17a-4(b)(4) thereunder, which require brokerdealers to preserve for at least three years originals of all communications received and copies of all communications sent relating to its business as such.”
> you don't get well run organizations by simply having legislation, which is my point
Nobody argued as much.
> I mean "crime" as anything that breaks the law
This isn’t what “crime” means. Painting your house the wrong colour may be against code, but it isn’t a crime. Legally, the difference is starker, as nobody was shown to have done anything wrong here beyond the benefit of doubt.
> Just require good organization and you’ll get it by diktat?
This is what I was responding to. You seemed to be insinuating that I didn't understand that laws or rules are not sufficient deterrents.
> nobody was shown to have done anything wrong here beyond the benefit of doubt
I'm still confused as to how the SEC was able to fine someone for not committing any wrongdoing, exact definition of the word "crime" which I have clarified I used to mean "general rule breaking" aside.
I agree. From my point of view there is definite wrongdoing, and it is not adequately punished. I'm trying to understand the other commentor's point of view as to how the bank was fined if there was no alleged wrongdoing. They had earlier asked "Where is the crime here?"
You can’t fine a business just to reduce inequality. Any jurisdiction that starts ruling that way fails basic definitions for rule of law. (This is in part what ruined Argentina.)
Also, in what universe would larger fines for banks decrease income inequality? The history of enforcement is capricious penalties increase incentives for cover-ups. If a record retention mistake means personal bankruptcy, you have zero incentive to correct mistakes. In practice, this leads to corruption among regulators, who are now the de facto commanders of private business.
> due to pussyfooted enforcement on white collar crime
Where is the crime here? The SEC investigated and found no wilful wrongdoing. Those twelve private plaintiffs are going to win judgements, as will everyone else who brings claims which could reasonably by covered by the missing records.