Largest SEC Whistleblower Awards

In order to appreciate the significant impact of the SEC’s whistleblower program, it is important to examine some of the most substantial awards issued by the organization to date. These payouts are a testament to the crucial role whistleblowers play in safeguarding the integrity of our financial markets. The following figures outline the largest SEC whistleblower awards as of the present, with some reaching into the staggering hundreds of millions.

• $279 million (May 5th, 2023)
• $114 million (October 22, 2020)
• $110 million (September 15, 2021)
• $50 million (April 15, 2021)
• $50 million (June 4, 2020)
• $50 million (March 19, 2018)
• $39 million (September 6, 2018)
• $37 million (December 19, 2022)
• $37 million (January 21, 2022)
• $37 million (March 26, 2019)
• $36 million (September 24, 2021)
• $33 million (March 19, 2018)
• $32 million (October 15, 2021)
• $30 million (September 22, 2014)
• $28 million (January 23, 2023)
• $28 million (May 19, 2021)
• $28 million (November 3, 2020)
• $27 million (May 17, 2021)
• $27 million (April 16, 2020)
• $23 million (June 2, 2021)
• $22 million (May 10, 2021)
• $22 million (September 30, 2020)
• $22 million (August 30, 2016)
• $20 million (November 28, 2022)

SEC whistleblowers are rewarded through the SEC Whistleblower Program, which was established under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010.

The program provides financial incentives to individuals who come forward with original information (that is also high quality), which leads to an SEC enforcement action against a fraudster resulting in monetary sanctions of over $1 million.

The rewards for SEC whistleblowers can range from 10% to 30% of the total monetary sanctions collected in the enforcement action, which depends on several factors.

These factors include the significance of the information provided, the level of assistance offered by the whistleblower, and the SEC’s interest in deterring similar violations in the future.

In addition to financial rewards, the SEC Whistleblower Program offers certain protections to whistleblowers, such as confidentiality and anti-retaliation provisions, to encourage individuals to report securities law violations without fear of retribution.

SEC Whistleblower Award Database
The pro bono team at Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto have put together a comprehensive database of the most up-to-date SEC whistleblower award orders, with information about the awards, waivers, award and denial factors, and other notes.

Should you spot a violation of securities law, you are entitled to report it, which would make a significant positive impact to markets and investors. By stepping forward, you become instrumental in maintaining the trustworthiness of our financial markets and may be entitled to substantial financial incentives and protection from retaliation under U.S. securities laws.

Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto is here to provide expert advice and assistance throughout this process. We are devoted to defending your legal rights and ensuring you receive suitable recompense for the risk you take to report fraud. Be a champion of justice, get in touch with us today.