Getting to write articles like this to make prosecutors look good, and for people feel like big bad Goldman Sachs is getting hurt.
Here's another thing to grind your gears: much of the fine will be paid in "consumer relief," which so far has meant a tax writeoff upfront, then negligible consumer relief.
Even if it is tax deductible, 'all' you're getting is a tax shield of your tax rate, if it's 30%, you still pay 70% of the fine. That's still about 50% of their annual net profit. It's nowhere near enough to me, but to say a 30% discount on a fine makes the fine pointless is exaggerated.
Here's another thing to grind your gears: much of the fine will be paid in "consumer relief," which so far has meant a tax writeoff upfront, then negligible consumer relief.