Before BNP Paribas pleaded guilty to violating United States economic sanctions laws, the bank’s chief executive, Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, said in a message to employees that “malfunctions have occurred and mistakes were made.” It was much more than that, costing to the bank nearly $9 billion. But even then, the misconduct leading to that kind of penalty did not result in criminal charges against any individuals.
via Penalties for Companies, but Executives Often Emerge Unscathed – NYTimes.com.