"This is an example of somebody who was aware of the proper accounting treatment but failed to follow it nonetheless." Both the Santa Clara semiconductor company and Fischer, 56, of Santa Clara, reached a settlement with the SEC but did not admit or deny the charges. The SEC did not seek a financial penalty from the company, citing its cooperation in the case. As part of his deal, Fischer agreed to repay more than $500,000 in profits and penalties. Since the backdating scandal erupted in March 2006, more than 270 companies – including dozens in Silicon Valley – launched internal reviews about option grants or faced SEC and Justice Department investigations. Previously, the SEC has charged former executives and directors at Apple, Brocade Communications Systems, KLA-Tencor, McAfee and Mercury Interactive.