Series 82: 1.2.1.7.2. Insider Trading Penalties

1.2.1.7.2.  Insider Trading Penalties

Insider trading is subject to a civil penalty of treble damages (three times the amount of the benefit obtained by the violation). Benefit obtained means gain or loss avoided. The maximum civil penalty that can be imposed on a firm when an employee engages in insider trading is the greater of $1 million and three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of the violation.

For more severe instances, the Justice Department may bring criminal charges, carrying maximum penalties for individuals of $5 million for each willful violation and/or 20 years in prison. Companies may be fined up to $25 million. The statute of limitations for insider trading is six years.