Yes, you are both correct about fines levied to big securities firms. This little Fulcrum is not even a slap, it`s less than that.
Here`s a Merrill Lynch fine that was a fraud case for $80 Million:
http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice/news.htm?story_id=4977&topic=Merrill%20Lynch%20Stock%20Fraud
Here`s one for $100K:
http://www.thestreet.com/markets/rebeccabyrne/10023427.html
And here`s a $500K one:
http://www.gcglaw.com/resources/bs/lynch.html
Here`s a Morgan Stanley fine for $19 Million:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Record-25m-fine-for-Morgan-Stanley/2005/01/13/1105582653439.html?oneclick=true
Here`s one that talks about a 2004 $500K fine and a $50 Million fine in 2003:
http://registeredrep.com/news/Morgan-Stanley-sued/