What does the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) allow the SEC to do?

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) equips the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with the capability to pursue claims against third parties who may not be directly responsible for securities fraud. This aspect of the PSLRA aims to enhance the ability of the SEC to protect investors by holding various parties accountable in complex securities-related cases. This is particularly important in scenarios where the fraud may involve multiple actors or where the direct perpetrators are difficult to trace, enabling a broader approach to enforcing securities laws and promoting accountability.

By allowing the SEC to extend its actions against third parties, the PSLRA strengthens investor protections by ensuring that more parties can be held liable, thus potentially increasing the chances of recovery for those harmed by securities violations. The ability to target third parties extends beyond direct culprits, enabling the SEC to address a wider array of bad conduct within the securities market.