Bank of America execs facing charges


Let's dive into the world of breaking news here, as the New York Attorney General's office has decided to mark the one-year anniversary of the financial meltdown by preparing charges against some Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) executives. Reportedly, the charges stem from the failure to disclose details about the company's acquisition of Merrill Lynch.

The Attorney General (Andrew Cuomo) is likely to file charges against the executives because of their failure to alert shareholders to mounting losses and accelerated bonus payments at Merrill. Earlier, a federal district judge rejected a $33-million settlement between BAC and the SEC over the same executive bonuses. This settlement was in relation to the fact that BAC did not inform shareholders of an agreement to pay Merrill Lynch execs billions of dollars worth of bonuses, the deal was struck before BAC acquired Merrill.

It is nice to see that some of the perceived wrongdoings may be punished, but I would rather see the broad-sweeping reform that President Obama is promising pass and have some teeth. Insuring that this sort of collapse can not, and will not, happen again is the most important facet of a financial recovery. Investors, consumers, and the American public in general has frayed nerves when it comes to the economic situation. Let's get things straightened out and an unemployment number that is manageable. Also making sure that we may see some of the money we invested into the banks paid back would be nice -- but I am not holding my breath.

Back to the New York Attorney General, the wrongdoings by BAC are hardly the most egregious that occurred following the meltdown (AIG spa trips anyone?). Let's see the other banks hunted down and prosecuted, then I will get excited about retribution in the courts.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA+5.7512,883.95
NASDAQ+11.782,915.86
S&P 500+2.911,349.96

Last updated: February 08, 2012: 11:40 PM

Hot Stocks

General Electric

19.24+0.06(+0.31)

Alcoa

10.670.00(0.00)

Apple Inc

476.68+7.85(+1.67)

Google Inc 'A'

609.85+3.08(+0.51)

Bank of America

8.13+0.28(+3.57)

Wal-Mart Stores

61.62-0.07(-0.11)

Exxon Mobil Corp

85.32-0.55(-0.64)

Ford

12.84-0.04(-0.31)

Citigroup

34.23+1.16(+3.51)

IBM

192.95+0.35(+0.18)

Yahoo

15.78-0.05(-0.32)

Starbucks

48.72+0.31(+0.64)

Microsoft

30.66+0.31(+1.02)

Home Depot

45.17-0.29(-0.64)

DailyFinance Headlines

Benzinga Headlines

TheFlyOnTheWall.com Headlines

BioHealth Investor Headlines

WalletPop Headlines

DailyFinance BlackBerry App

My Portfolios

Track your stocks here!

Find out why more people track their portfolios on AOL Money & Finance then anywhere else.

BloggingStocks Partners

More from AOL Money & Finance

BioHealth Investor Headlines

Page Loaded in 1328762433500 ms.