> I assume DOJ can't prosecute when SEC comes to a settlement agreement?
This is incorrect. The SEC has no prosecution authority. That means it can't prosecute. It also means it can't take criminal prosecution off the table.
That's not a good assumption. Parallel enforcement routinely happens. Sometimes simultaneously, sometimes later. Sometimes both are reported in the same places, other times one is not reported at all except on DOJ's own website or in more obscure court dockets. Sometimes there is no referral. Sometimes the DOJ passes on it.
Several reasons.Just the lawyer fees to fight the SEC lawyers will be a lot. What they did could be worse than what the SEC found so far. Discovery process may be painful and lead to emails and documents to be published on the web. It will be a big distraction for the top brass.