The quote highlights the author's concern regarding the accountability of major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs following the financial crisis. While the firm was central to the crisis, only a minor employee faced criminal charges, raising questions about justice and accountability. It suggests a disparity in who is penalized for misconduct within large organizations.
The author's observation also points to an alarming aspect of regulatory practices, where the focus seems to be on protecting proprietary information over prosecuting serious financial misdeeds. The idea that market manipulation could arise from a single individual's actions emphasizes the potential dangers posed by powerful entities in the finance sector, raising concerns about fairness and ethics in financial markets.