Is “Not Guilty” the Same as “Innocent”? Evidence from SEC

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY
Finance Department
Research Seminars in Finance

Topic: Is “Not Guilty” the Same as “Innocent”? Evidence from SEC Financial Fraud Investigations

Speaker: David Solomon, Boston College

Abstract: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) routinely investigates firms for financial fraud, but investors only learn about regulators’ concerns if managers voluntarily disclose news of the investigation, or regulators sanction the firm. We investigate the effects of disclosing investigations using confidential records on all opened investigations, regardless of outcome. Markets exhibit some ability to identify which investigations will eventually lead to sanctions. Nonetheless, even when no charges are ultimately brought, firms that voluntarily disclose an investigation have significant negative returns, underperforming non-sanctioned firms that stayed silent by 12.7% for a year after the investigation begins. Consistent with limited investor attention, disclosing in a more prominent manner is associated with worse returns. CEOs who disclose an investigation are also 14% more likely to experience turnover. Our results are consistent with transparency about bad news being punished, rather than rewarded, by financial and labor markets.

Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2019
Time: 12.00 – 1.00 p.m.
Venue: University of Technology, Sydney
               Building 8, Room 08.002, Dr Chau Chak Wing Building
               Dr Chau Chak Wing Building
              14 - 28 Ultimo Road, Ultimo

Co-ordinator: Claire Liu  (Ph: +61 2 9514 7748)

Enquiries: Mala Kapahi (Ph: +61 2 9514 7777)