SEC Awards Whistleblower $600,000 in First Retaliation Case
On April 28, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced an award to a whistleblower of $600,000. The whistleblower was given the award for providing key original information that led to a successful enforcement action in connection with In the Matter of Paradigm Capital Management, Inc. and Candace King Weir, File No. 3-15930 (June 16, 2014). The whistleblower in this matter suffered unique hardships, including retaliation, as a result of reporting to the SEC.
The SEC charged Paradigm with retaliating against the whistleblower after the firm learned that the whistleblower reported potential misconduct to the Commission. Paradigm immediately engaged in a series of retaliatory actions against the whistleblower including removing the whistleblower from the whistleblower’s then-current position, tasking the whistleblower with investigating the very conduct the whistleblower reported to the SEC, changing the whistleblower’s job function, stripping the whistleblower of supervisory responsibilities, and otherwise marginalizing the whistleblower.
Sean McKessy, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower, stated, “Retaliation against whistleblowers is entirely unacceptable. My hope is that the award today encourages potential whistleblowers to come forward in light of our demonstrated commitment to protect them against retaliatory conduct and make significant financial awards to whistleblowers who suffer employment hardships as a result of reporting possible securities law violations.”
The decision to blow the whistle, or not, is always complex. It must be made with as much information as possible. The Whistleblower Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself is the essential reference guide for whistleblowers. If you are considering blowing the whistle, this is the most comprehensive guide available.
Related links:
