Negation of Sanctions: The Personal Effect of Political Contributions

Sarah Fulmer, April Knill and Xiaoyun Yu

Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 2023, vol. 58, issue 7, 2783-2819

Abstract: We show that political contributions are associated with reduced civil and criminal sanctions for fraudulent executives. These managers benefit more from contributions if their firm also gained from the fraud, if they occupy top positions in firms with weak boards, or if they contribute to powerful politicians. Political contributions reduce budgetary resources for government enforcers and lengthen the Securities and Exchange Commission’s case time-to-resolution. They also facilitate penalty transfer from fraudulent managers to the firm, resulting in their entrenchment and long-term destruction of shareholder value. Our findings highlight an agency cost of political contributions and a mechanism undermining the disciplining effect of regulations.

Date: 2023
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