SEC Writes Off $10 Billion in Fines It Can’t Collect

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has struggled to collect billions in penalties from fraud cases, writing off nearly $10 billion over the past decade. In 2023, it secured $4.9 billion in settlements but wrote off $1.9 billion in unpaid fines from previous years. 

Despite this, the SEC claims success in returning billions to harmed investors, collecting about two-thirds of its financial judgments. High-profile cases like Paul Bilzerian's, who evaded a $62 million fine for over 31 years by declaring bankruptcy and moving abroad, highlight enforcement challenges. 

In 2024, The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ordered $8.2 billion in remedies, but much remains uncollected due to legal and practical barriers.