[doytch]

Matt Levine's common refrain [1] of "everything is securities fraud" is useful here. If as a stockholder you suffer damages to your investment because a company did illegal things and hid it, you can sue for those damages if you argue that you invested in this company because you were assured they were not doing illegal things.

These lawsuits have been decently successful as far as I can tell from what stories make it to the media.

[1]: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-06-26/everyt...

[SpicyLemonZest]

So the government reaches through the company to take money from shareholders, and then the shareholders sue to take it back from the company? Seems like you just get to the current system with extra steps.

[ethbr1]

Components that would simplify this are (a) limiting and simplifying damage calculation & (b) requiring companies to admit fault as part of settlements.

Currently, 'the company admits no fault' (but pays a fine), helps head off shareholder lawsuits.

If prosecuting entities and companies were instead required to include admitting fault, then shareholder suits would be much simpler.

The company has already admitted liability -> process directly to negotiation over amounts.