SEC Whistleblower Issued Award of More Than $1 Million for Assistance in Investigation

Yesterday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a whistleblower award of $1 million issued to an anonymous claimant who alerted the SEC to ongoing securities fraud.

According to the SEC award order, the anonymous SEC whistleblower alerted Commission staff to securities law violations, prompting an investigation.

The whistleblower provided ongoing assistance during the investigation, meeting with Enforcement staff and supplying documents throughout the process.

Since issuing its first award in 2012, the SEC Whistleblower Office has awarded approximately $939 million 182 individuals.

Under the Dodd Frank Act, SEC Whistleblowers with original information of securities fraud can remain fully anonymous and confidential when filing for awards. Whistleblowers who provide timely evidence of fraud to the SEC that results in successful enforcement actions and sanctions exceeding $1 million can become eligible for awards ranging between 10-30%.

“Today’s whistleblower played a critical role in the SEC bringing an enforcement action,” said Emily Pasquinelli, Acting Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. “The whistleblower timely reported the securities law violations to the Commission and then played a key role in the successful resolution of the action.”

If you have information of securities fraud, it is best practice to contact an experienced SEC whistleblower attorney. Using a whistleblower attorney, you can remain completely anonymous and confidential and protect your identity from your employer.