General Electric agreed to pay a $50 million penalty to settle charges filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging that, on four separate occasions in 2002 and 2003, GE misled investors by reporting materially false and misleading results in its financial statements. The SEC alleged that GE used improper accounting methods to increase its reported earnings or revenues and avoid reporting negative financial results. Without admitting or denying the allegations, GE agreed to the penalty and consented to the entry of an order permanently enjoining it from violating the federal securities laws.