About Geoff Schweller
Geoff Schweller is the Communications Director for Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto (KKC). Geoff graduated from Hamilton College in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He is also the Assistant News Editor for Whistleblower Network News.
From the Whistleblower and Qui Tam Blog
Free Event to Focus on Whistleblower Developments in US and UK
On May 25, leading whistleblower groups from both sides of the Atlantic are coming together for a free public event highlighting whistleblower developments in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The event, which is both in-person and online via Zoom, is entitled “Realising the Potential of Whistleblowers” and will take place at 2 pm BST or 9 am EST. The event is cosponsored by the U.S.’s National Whistleblower Center and the U.K.’s 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square and WhistleblowersUK. It will feature a conversation between leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto and Georgina Halford-Hall, the CEO of WhistleblowersUK. Alexandra Sidossis of 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square will moderate the conversation. "U.S. whistleblower laws can be applied to frauds committed in the U.K.,” said Kohn, who is also the Chairman of the Board of the National Whistleblower Center. “I'm looking forward to working with attorneys and ...
SEC Awards Whistleblower Whose Tip Led to Opening of Investigation
On May 19, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a whistleblower award to an individual who voluntarily provided the agency with original information that led to a successful enforcement action. Through the SEC Whistleblower Program, qualified whistleblowers are entitled to an award of 10-30% of the sanctions collected by the government in the enforcement action connected to their disclosure. The SEC awarded the whistleblower approximately $16,000. According to the award order, the whistleblower “helped alert Commission staff to the ongoing fraud and his/her tip was a principal motivating factor in the decision to open the investigation.” In determining the exact percentage of an award, the SEC weighs a number of factors including the significance of the whistleblower’s information, the law enforcement interest in the case, the degree of further assistance provided by the whistleblower, the whistleblower’s culpability in the underlying violation, and the timelines of the disclosure. According ...
Leading Whistleblower Attorney Gives Keynote Address at State Department Event
On May 16, leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto gave a keynote address at a U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) event. The event was part of a program entitled “Transparency and Accountability in Government” which is a State Department project for the Middle East and North Africa. The project is designed to “examine how transparency and accountability in government ensure public trust in the integrity and fairness of elected officials, public servants, and the institutions of government,” according to the State Department. The project is meant to highlight transparency mechanisms within the United States government as well as the key role civil societys and the media play as watchdogs. The project is scheduled to last from May 14 through June 4 in cities across the U.S. Participants in the project include a mix of government officials, business leaders, politicians, civic and ...
IRS Announces New Director of Whistleblower Office
On May 12, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that John W. Hinman will serve as the Director of the IRS Whistleblower Office. Hinman will oversee the agency’s highly successful whistleblower award program. Since 2007, the IRS has awarded whistleblowers over $1 billion based on the collection of over $6 billion in back taxes, interest, penalties, and criminal fines and sanctions. "We hope that as the director Mr. Hinman will have an open door policy for whistleblowers and their advocates,” said leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto. “We look forward to working with the new director to ensure that the incredibly important tax whistleblower program properly deters fraudsters and incentivizes whistleblowers to step forward. We hope that processes are put into place that speed-up the final determinations in reward cases,” added Kohn, who also serves as the Board of Directors of the National Whistleblower Center. ...
SEC Awards Four Whistleblowers $3.5 Million for Contributing to SEC Enforcement Action and Related Action by Other Agency
On May 6, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued $3.5 million in whistleblower awards to four individuals who provided information which contributed to the success of an SEC enforcement action and a related enforcement action by another agency. "Credible and specific tips of securities laws violations, whether from corporate insiders or members of the public, strengthen the Commission’s enforcement program," said Creola Kelly, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. "Today’s whistleblowers provided valuable information that assisted the Commission’s investigation." Through the SEC Whistleblower Program, qualified whistleblowers, individuals who voluntarily provide original information that leads to a successful enforcement action, are entitled to a monetary award of 10-30% of funds recouped by the government. Under the Dodd-Frank Act’s (DFA) related action provision, when the information provided to the SEC by a whistleblower also leads to a successful enforcement action by another agency, the whistleblower is entitled to ...
Whistleblowers Take Note: SEC Nearly Doubles Cryptocurrency Enforcement Staff
On May 3, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that the newly renamed Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit will grow to fifty positions, nearly doubling in size. The agency’s allocation of resources to the unit, which is responsible for protecting investors in crypto markets and from cyber-related threats, reflects the SEC’s increased focus on the enforcement of cryptocurrency fraud. "The U.S. has the greatest capital markets because investors have faith in them, and as more investors access the crypto markets, it is increasingly important to dedicate more resources to protecting them," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler. "The Division of Enforcement’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit has successfully brought dozens of cases against those seeking to take advantage of investors in crypto markets. By nearly doubling the size of this key unit, the SEC will be better equipped to police wrongdoing in the crypto markets while continuing to ...