Thats the movies. Unlike in real life the bad guys serve 20 years. You are absolutely right that white collar criminals usually get away with their misdeeds. Remember the legal talent they pay for is better educated, wealthier, and has more resources than most U.S. Attorneys or D.A. offices.

My only problem with the sequel is that Michael Douglas ha been playing some version of Gordon Gecko for his entire career.

As Anatole France famously said, I am paraphrasing, the law prevents the rich and poor from sleeping under bridges in an equal fashion.