A criminal parallel is a prosecution running alongside a civil regulatory action arising from the same conduct. The two resolve on different standards of proof, so a civil settlement and a criminal acquittal on the same facts are not contradictory.
law and enforcement · updated 2026-09-08
See also
Wire fraud— Wire fraud is the federal offence of using interstate wires to further a scheme to defraud. Prosecutors add it to market manipulat…
Burden of proof— Civil enforcement actions are decided on the preponderance of the evidence; criminal prosecutions require proof beyond a reasonabl…