SEC Whistleblowers Receive Awards of $10 Million and $13 Million
Today, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced whistleblower awards totaling more than $23 million issued to anonymous individuals whose evidence led to successful SEC and other related actions.
According to the SEC award order, Claimant 1’s reporting sparked an SEC investigation into fraud as well as an investigation by another federal agency. Although Claimant 2 waited several years to submit their information to the SEC, the evidence provided was significant enough to contribute to the ongoing investigations.
Both Claimant 1 and Claimant 2 submitted important documents, identified key players involved in the fraud, and participated in interviews with SEC enforcement staff.
For their efforts, Claimant 1 received an award of $13 million and Claimant 2 received an award of $10 million.
Under the Dodd Frank Act, SEC whistleblowers can file award claims fully anonymously and confidentially. If the SEC brings forth enforcement actions resulting in monetary sanctions exceeding $1 million, whistleblowers can become eligible for awards ranging from 10-30% of the penalties collected.
SEC whistleblowers can remain fully anonymous and confidential when filing award claims with the Commission.
Since issuing its first award in 2012, the SEC Whistleblower Program has awarded more than $928 million to 166 individuals.
“The whistleblowers’ information and assistance led to multiple successful enforcement actions related to a complex and fraudulent scheme involving multiple individuals and tens of millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains,” said Emily Pasquinelli, Acting Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. “Today’s awards demonstrate the SEC’s continuing commitment to making awards to individuals who provide high-quality information that assists the SEC and other government agencies in bringing successful enforcement actions.”
Since the filing process is extremely complex, it is best practice to use an experienced SEC whistleblower attorney when reporting securities fraud to the SEC. Using a whistleblower attorney will ensure your identity stays protected and you stay anonymous to your employer.
