A punitive fine imposed by a civil court on an entity that has profited from illegal or unethical activity. The Securities and Exchange Commission imposes civil money penalties that are usually equal to the gains made from whatever activity it has deemed to be illegal or unethical.
Investopedia Says:
Civil money penalties are not limited to securities law violations. They may be imposed to punish individuals or organizations for violating a variety of laws or regulations.
Related Links:
Find out how this regulatory body protects the rights of investors. Policing The Securities Market: An Overview Of The SEC
From godfathers to perps, familiarize yourself with the "criminal elements" creeping around Wall Street. Handcuffs And Smoking Guns: The Criminal Elements Of Wall Street
The better you understand why insider trading can be criminal, the better you'll understand how the market works. Defining Illegal Insider Trading
