I think the reason they use investors is one specific reason. From an economists point of view corruption is like sludge in the gears- it slows things down. Peo

I think the reason they use investors is one specific reason. From an economists point of view corruption is like sludge in the gears- it slows things down. People need to do more due diligence, be more careful, and risk less when they don't have confidence in the integrity of the market, so it slows everything down. The remit of the SEC is to make sure there's integrity not because of some sense of fairness, but because they think the market works more efficiently when everyone is confident that it's not corrupt, and therefore this brings more economic benefits.