Most employees aren’t surprised when they’re asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) as a condition of employment. It’s one way to warn and penalize employees about telling company secrets. But when the NDA prohibits an employee from becoming a whistleblower, the SEC steps in. From 2015 through 2019, Brinks…
Articles Posted in SEC Whistleblower
Fees From Cryptocurrency Providers— When Are Investors Paying Too Much?
Compared to the decades of experience investors have with the S&P and NASDAQ, everyone’s a comparative rookie when it comes to cryptocurrency. And crypto’s appeal often comes from the idea that crypto exists outside of traditional banking. However, overlooked in that idea is the reality that—not unlike traditional banking and…
Is Your Hedge Fund Defrauding Clients? If So, What Can You Do?
In January of this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published a “Risk Alert” warning potential investors about four areas of concern—ways in which investment advisers are defrauding their clients. Let’s briefly discuss each of these in turn, to see what concerning practices you should be on the lookout…
Will Your SEC Whistleblowing Lead To A Massive Case Against The Company?
Before sitting down for her now-famous 60 Minutes interview, former Facebook employee Frances Haugen had filed eight complaints with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In these, she alleged that Facebook was misleading investors in how the company doesn’t act against hate crime, how it facilitates the spread of disinformation,…
Your Identity As A Whistleblower Has Been Publicly Revealed: What Now?
Of those who provide tips to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) whistleblowing program, an estimated 20% are anonymous when they submit their information. And the SEC is required to keep whistleblowers’ information confidential. But what if you submitted the information anonymously, and your identity became known? The main thing…
Does It Impact A Whistleblowing Complaint If You And A Colleague Come Forward Together?
Perhaps one of the most difficult parts of becoming a whistleblower is feeling alone when you go against your company. But what if you and another colleague both decide to go to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and become joint whistleblowers? How does that change the equation? You and…
If You Were Complicit In Some Wrongdoing, Does That Impact Your Role As An SEC Whistleblower?
One question many whistleblowers worry about: What if their whistleblowing uncovers their own participation in the wrongdoing? And if it does so, how might that impact their liability and eligibility for an award? Some culpability is not an automatic bar from a securities whistleblower award. The Securities and Exchange Commission…
If The Bad Actions Took Place Overseas, Does that Affect An SEC Whistleblowing Report?
If you are considering filing a whistleblowing report with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), you might wonder if the SEC program covers violations that take place abroad. The short answer is: Probably, but it depends. As a starting point, it’s worth noting that there is no requirement…
What Is “Securities Fraud”?
People toss around the term “fraud” all the time, often it to describe something fake or insincere. But when it comes to the legal understanding of the term in context of the securities laws, fraud means more than something fake. Understanding what fraud means is important for those who work…
How Do You Report a Fraudulent SPAC to the SEC Whistleblower Office?
If you’re aware of a SPAC that is defrauding investors, you may be wondering if you should go to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and become a whistleblower. While how to best submit your case will always depend on your case, here are guidelines to help you understand the…