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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it awarded a whistleblower $4.2 million for critical and original information that led to a successful enforcement action. The individual tipped the SEC regarding specific possible violations of the federal securities laws that, in turn, caused an investigation to be opened.  Once the investigation was commenced, the SEC whistleblower provided material assistance to the SEC, including documentation, identifying “key players” in the fraudulent scheme and meeting with SEC staff. This successful SEC enforcement action brings the number of whistleblowers who received bounties to 164 since the program’s inception. Thus far, the SEC has awarded a total of $905 million to those whistleblowers who provided the SEC with tips, documents and information. These SEC enforcement actions ultimately lead to the recovery of millions of dollars for defrauded investors, and further strengthened the SEC’s deterrent effect in the securities markets. Financial Recovery A whistleblower may receive an award (also known as a bounty) from the SEC ranging from 10% to 30% of the financial sanctions recovered from the wrongdoers assuming the total collected exceeds $1M. This translates into $100,000 to $300,000 for a $1M recovered by the SEC. Notably, the SEC bounties are not taken from the money recovered for investors. In addition, after the $1M threshold is reached, a whistleblower may also be entitled to a percentage of recovered amounts arising from related cases brought by other governmental agencies.The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it awarded a whistleblower $4.2 million for critical and original information that led to a successful enforcement action. The individual tipped the SEC regarding specific possible violations of the federal securities laws that, in turn, caused an investigation to be opened. Once the investigation was commenced, the SEC whistleblower provided material assistance to the SEC, including documentation, identifying “key players” in the fraudulent scheme and meeting with SEC staff. Continue reading

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The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its latest award of $9.2 million to a helpful whistleblower who offered assistance at their own expense. This individual traveled to be personally interviewed by the US Department of Justice, and paid for their travel out-of-pocket. As a result, their information led to successful actions led to actions by the DOJ, including a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) or deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). This whistleblower offered a significant amount of information related to a continuing fraud to the SEC. The information led to a substantial amount of money that could be returned to the defrauded investors. The SEC then provided the information to the DOJ for their investigation and actions. Additionally, this same whistleblower received a previous award from the SEC resulting from the same information that led to a successful SEC action. The previous SEC award is a precursor to today’s related action whistleblower award. The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its latest award of $9.2 million to a helpful whistleblower who offered assistance at their own expense.

This individual traveled to be personally interviewed by the US Department of Justice, and paid for their travel out-of-pocket. As a result, their information led to successful actions led to actions by the DOJ, including a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) or deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). Continue reading

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A whistleblower who filed an internal report prior submitting a tip to the SEC has been awarded $500,000 by the agency. The information provided by the whistleblower gave the SEC and another agency what they needed to file actions quickly in order to stop a continuing fraudulent scheme. The individual first submitted an internal report that led to an internal investigation. The company provided this information to an external agency, which notified the SEC. Additionally, the individual contacted the SEC separately within 120 days of filing the internal report. The SEC’s “safe harbor” provision means that if the report is made within the 120-day timeframe, the agency treats it as if the report was made the same day.  Exchange Act Rule 21F-4(b)(7) provides in relevant part that:A whistleblower who filed an internal report prior submitting a tip to the SEC has been awarded $500,000 by the agency. The information provided by the whistleblower gave the SEC and another agency what they needed to file actions quickly in order to stop a continuing fraudulent scheme. Continue reading

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The SEC has awarded two individuals more than $3M related to two agency separate enforcement actions. In the first, the agency awarded $3.2M to one individual who alerted the SEC to certain violations. The individual also gave the SEC crucial subject matter expertise, which conserved agency resources, as well as which identifying important issues on which to focus. The SEC awarded second individual $100,000 for “significant information and ongoing assistance” in the detection of an ongoing investor fraud, then put a stop to it. A whistleblower is an individual that reports a person and/or organization engaged in illegal and illicit activity. It can be anyone working in an organization, or someone affiliated, such as a customer or vendor. Anyone with evidence of fraud or other wrongdoing can be a whistleblower. The SEC primarily handles cases related to securities and other financial fraud. Since beginning its Whistleblower program in 2012, the SEC has awarded more than $816M to 153 individuals who have provided critical information to the agency. The awards are funded by the SEC’s investor protection fund created by Congress and funded by financial sanctions from those who violate SEC laws. None of the funds are from the investors themselves. The SEC has awarded two individuals more than $3M related to two agency separate enforcement actions.

In the first, the agency awarded $3.2M to one individual who alerted the SEC to certain violations. The individual also gave the SEC crucial subject matter expertise, which conserved agency resources, as well as which identifying important issues on which to focus. Continue reading

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The SEC today awarded a whistleblower a sum of $28M after providing the SEC with information that led to a successful enforcement action and a second related action with another federal agency. The second agency was not identified. As a result of the informant’s information, both the SEC and the second federal agency made the decision to open and pursue individual investigations. Because of the second related action, the informant was also eligible for another award brought about from the initial SEC investigation and enforcement action. “The SEC has awarded more than $900 million over the life of the program, including almost $85 million to nine individuals in this month alone, which reflects the vitality and continued success of the SEC’s whistleblower program,” said Emily Pasquinelli, the current Acting Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower.  The agency has awarded an astonishing $901 million to 163 individuals since the program began in 2012, with no signs of slowing down.The SEC today awarded a whistleblower a sum of $28M after providing the SEC with information that led to a successful enforcement action and a second related action with another federal agency. The second agency was not identified.

As a result of the informant’s information, both the SEC and the second federal agency made the decision to open and pursue individual investigations. Because of the second related action, the informant was also eligible for another award brought about from the initial SEC investigation and enforcement action. Continue reading

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In two separate cases, the SEC has awarded four individuals sums that total over $31 million for critical information that led to successful enforcement actions. The first award of $27 million went to two individuals who not only provided the agency with vital information, they offered continual assistance and met in-person with agency staff on three different days. Their information and ongoing assistance for an existing investigation helped secure the specific allegations that led to charges against the company. A third individual involved with this case was denied any award because they provided no information to the agency during the course of the investigation. In the second case, the agency awarded $3.75 million to one tipster, and $750,000 to the second. Ironically, the individual who was awarded the larger amount had their original claim denied, but appealed the decision. That information they provided led to a claim against an individual, and ultimately an award, by proving that it was provided voluntarily and prior to the request. The agency later stated that the individual awarded the larger amount “provided information and assistance that was more important to the resolution of the overall case.”In two separate cases, the SEC has awarded four individuals sums that total over $31 million for critical information that led to successful enforcement actions.

The first award of $27 million went to two individuals who not only provided the agency with vital information, they offered continual assistance and met in-person with agency staff on three different days. Their information and ongoing assistance for an existing investigation helped secure the specific allegations that led to charges against the company. Continue reading

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The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) announced today the award of $3.6 million to a whistleblower whose assistance helped the agency with another case. The individual offered “valuable information” to the agency’s attention, leading to a new investigation of wrongdoing and violations of federal securities laws. The whistleblower’s sustained assistance to SEC staff allowed the agency to continue its investigation, leading to a successful enforcement action. The identity of the whistleblower is confidential, as well as defining facts about the investigation and subsequent enforcement action. However, the SEC releases some information to let the public know about the battle against fraud and other investment-related crimes, as well as to encourage others to come forward if they witness wrongdoing. The SEC has handed more than $800 million in awards to individuals who have submitted tips and other information that resulted in an enforcement action. Awards are based on the amount of financial sanctions (money) recovered from the companies engaged in wrongdoing. An award is usually made if there are more than $1M in fines and fees, and are from 10% to 30% of the sanctions. Investor funds are returned whenever possible, and are never part of these awards.The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) announced today the award of $3.6 million to a whistleblower whose assistance helped the agency with another case.

The individual offered “valuable information” to the agency’s attention, leading to a new investigation of wrongdoing and violations of federal securities laws. The whistleblower’s sustained assistance to SEC staff allowed the agency to continue its investigation, leading to a successful enforcement action. Continue reading

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The SEC announced today that it has awarded $22 million to two individuals who provided “information and assistance” to the agency that resulted in a successful enforcement action against a financial services firm. The first whistleblower received a whopping $18 million award due to being the original source of information that started the investigation. The agency awarded the second whistleblower $4 million submitted important information during the course of the investigation, after it began. Both whistleblowers provided reliable information and offered assistance that helped the agency in understanding the complexity of the transactions related to the investigation. Whistleblowers can become eligible for awards when they provide the agency reliable information that leads to a successful enforcement action.The SEC announced today that it has awarded $22 million to two individuals who provided “information and assistance” to the agency that resulted in a successful enforcement action against a financial services firm.

The first whistleblower received a whopping $18 million award due to being the original source of information that started the investigation. Continue reading

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The US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) recently awarded $1.7 million to two whistleblowers who provided critical information within 30 days via Form TCR (Tip, Complaint or Referral). Both provided their information in accordance with the new Securities and Exchange Act Rule 21F-9(e). The first award saw a whistleblower receive $900,000 after providing information on a fraudulent scheme that recurrently defrauded investors. The provided evidence allowed the SEC to further a continuing investigation that ultimately led to a shutdown of operations. The whistleblower offered a significant amount of evidence that included an essential declaration. The second whistleblower offered critical evidence of “false and misleading statements made to investors.” The individual produced documents as well as participated in interviews during the investigation. As a result, defrauded investors saw millions in returns, and the SEC awarded this individual $800,000. The US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) recently awarded $1.7 million to two whistleblowers who provided critical information within 30 days via Form TCR (Tip, Complaint or Referral). Both provided their information in accordance with the new Securities and Exchange Act Rule 21F-9(e). Continue reading

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