SEC Whistleblower Lawyer Blog
The SEC has awarded $3M to three different whistleblowers for assisting with three distinct covered actions in three separate orders.
1. In the first order, the Claims Review Staff (CRS) awarded a bounty of $1.5 million to an individual who provided original information and voluntarily gave assistance to SEC staff that led to a successful covered action.
2. In the second order, CRS awarded a $1 million bounty to an individual who also voluntarily offered original information that led the SEC to a successful covered enforcement action. In this case, the whistleblower also assisted SEC staff, including multiple interviews.
3. The third order saw a bounty of $400,000 to a whistleblower who first reported their concerns internally, leading to a ceasing of the wrongful activity. The individual subsequently reported the information to the SEC, leading to the opening of an investigation. Over the course of the investigation, the whistleblower met with SEC Enforcement staff, offering additional information and continued assistance. Ultimately, the charges in the covered enforcement action would “bear a close nexus” to the whistleblower’s stated allegations.
Other Whistleblower Programs
The SEC hands out whistleblower awards but is not the only agency with a specific division for this purpose. Other federal agencies that also give whistleblower awards include:
- The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
- The US Department of Labor, OSHA
- The Office of the Inspector General (for federal employees, federal contractors, subcontractors, grantees, or subgrantees)
- The Internal Revenue Service
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), under the US Department of Treasury
The Brookings Institute released a report last year in favor of expanding whistleblower programs such as these.
Retaining Experienced SEC Whistleblower Attorneys
Whistleblowers help everyone by notifying authorities of conduct that harms the public, while also earning financial compensation for themselves. Hiring experienced SEC counsel will greatly increase your chances of the SEC initiating an investigation based on your information. If you wish to remain anonymous, you must be represented by an attorney, who will submit everything on your behalf.
Silver Law and the Law Firm of David R. Chase jointly have experienced SEC whistleblower lawyers, including a former SEC Enforcement attorney on the team, so you will always have guidance throughout the process. Our SEC whistleblower attorneys can help you if you have information regarding securities or investment fraud, violations of federal securities laws, false filings, market manipulation, or other misconduct. You must provide timely, credible, and original information or analysis in order to be eligible.
Contact us through our online form or at (800) 975-4345 for a consultation. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that it costs you nothing to hire us, and we collect our fees when you receive an SEC bounty. Because we get paid when you do, we have the incentive to help you collect the maximum award available.