It sure is getting hard to keep up with all the rules involved in determining whether an important person gets prosecuted for an alleged business crime.

First, there was the Apple Rule, which was quickly followed by the Dell Rule.

Next, there was the Buffett Rule.

And then we had the GM Rule.

Now, Larry Ribstein reports that we have the Geithner Rule.

None of which is likely to help Wachovia’s Bob Steel, who the SEC apparently believes violated the obligation to throw in the towel.

Does anyone really believe that all these rules and the criminalization-of-business lottery constitutes a coherent policy for regulating questionable business deals?