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The SEC Whistleblower Program was established to encourage people to report securities violations to the SEC. Whistleblowers can receive up to 30% of the monetary sanctions collected in a successful whistleblower enforcement action, which can result in a whistleblower award in the millions, if not tens of millions of dollars for doing the right thing, the right way.  Additionally, the statute is committed to protecting whistleblowers confidentiality and prohibiting retaliation against them. In fact, with the use of an SEC whistleblower attorney an insider who properly blows the whistle can potentially remain anonymous from start to finish.

The program was established under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and bolstered by the Sarbanes Oxley Act to encourage whistleblowers to come forward with information about violations of securities laws.

Our SEC whistleblower law firm can walk you through the whistleblower process, help weigh the pros and cons of blowing the whistle and file the matter anonymously for you. The SEC whistleblower team can:

  • Advise you from start to finish on the SEC whistleblower process
  • Evaluate whether the issue may constitute an actionable SEC violation
  • Help negotiate an SEC whistleblower award for our clients
  • Take steps to shield your identity
  • Invoke the correct statutes and processes to protect you from retaliation
  • Providing ongoing legal support throughout the whistleblower process

If you believe you have information about a securities law violation, you can reach out to our experienced SEC whistleblower lawyers to file a confidential report (TCR) through the SEC Whistleblower Program. The SEC will evaluate the information and, if appropriate, take enforcement action and provide a monetary award to the whistleblower.

Note: It’s important to consult with an attorney familiar with SEC whistleblower laws and the SEC Whistleblower Program to make sure your complaint is filed anonymously and to work to enhance your chance of obtaining an SEC whistleblower award.

What violations qualify for the SEC whistleblower program?

The SEC accepts a wide range of information that could be considered a violation of federal securities laws. It’s important to file an SEC complaint through a law firm to make sure the information is submitted properly and invoking the correct regulations and laws. An SEC whistleblower submission could include information about:

  • Insider trading
  • Accounting fraud
  • Financial reporting violations
  • Bribery or corruption
  • Ponzi schemes
  • Fraudulent investment schemes
  • Misuse of client funds
  • Manipulation of securities prices
  • Failure to file required reports with the SEC
  • Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Failure to disclose material information to investors
  • Churning
  • Any systemic act that puts the interest of the fiduciary ahead of the interest of the client

The factors the SEC considers in determining the amount of an SEC whistleblower award?

When considering the amount of an award, the SEC considers several factors, including:

  • Importance of the Information: The SEC considers the importance of the information provided by the whistleblower. The information must be fresh, credible, and capable of leading to successful enforcement action.
  • Level of Assistance Provided: The SEC also considers the whistleblower’s level of assistance, such as whether the whistleblower provided ongoing assistance throughout the investigation and enforcement action.
  • Extent to Which the Information Led to a Successful Enforcement Action: The SEC considers the extent to which the whistleblower’s information led to a successful enforcement action, such as the size of the penalties and the number of individuals charged.

Can you submit your tip anonymously?

Yes, you can submit your whistleblower tip to the SEC anonymously. However, you must have a representative, such as a whistleblower attorney, file the tip on your behalf. Whistleblowers can submit information anonymously to the SEC through an attorney or other legal representative who acts as a liaison between the SEC and the whistleblower. This procedure protects the whistleblower’s identity while still allowing the SEC to obtain the information needed to pursue an enforcement action. However, there is no guarantee that you will remain anonymous from start to finish so it’s critical to review this option with your attorney.

What employment protections against retaliation are available for SEC whistleblowers?

SEC whistleblowers are protected from retaliation by their employer for reporting potential securities law violations to the SEC. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Sarbanes Oxley Act provide employment protections for SEC whistleblowers provided they blow the whistle the right way, including:

  • Prohibiting retaliation: Employers cannot fire, demote, harass, or otherwise discriminate against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment for reporting potential securities law violations to the SEC.
  • Right to file a complaint: If an employee believes that they have been retaliated against, they have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Labor within 180 days of the retaliatory act.
  • Right to a court action: If the Department of Labor does not issue a decision within 180 days or issues a decision not favorable to the employee, the employee has the right to file a court action.
  • Reinstatement and double back pay: If a court finds that retaliation has occurred, the employee may be entitled to reinstatement and double back pay.

It is important to note that these employment protections apply to all employees who report potential securities law violations to the SEC the right way.

What are the some of the largest SEC whistleblower awards?

The exact amounts of SEC Whistleblower Awards are determined based on a number of factors, including the significance of the information provided, the extent to which the information led to the successful enforcement of a securities law violation, and the amount of monetary sanctions collected in the enforcement action.

What is considered “original information” to qualify for an award?

For the purposes of an SEC Whistleblower Award, “original information” is information derived from the whistleblower’s independent knowledge or analysis that is not already known to the SEC from any other source. The data must also be submitted to the SEC for the first time and must pertain to a potential violation of federal securities laws.

For the information to be considered “original information,” the following criteria must be met:

  • Not obtained from public sources: The SEC must not have obtained the information from public sources such as the media, government reports, or court records.
  • The information must not be derived entirely from an independent source, such as an investigation conducted by a government agency, a self-regulatory organization, or a foreign authority.
  • The information must be submitted to the SEC for the first time and must not have been previously provided to the SEC or any other federal or state regulatory or law enforcement authority.
  • Significantly assists the SEC: The information must significantly assist the SEC in its enforcement actions and not simply duplicate information that the SEC already has.

How long does it take to receive the SEC whistleblower award?

The time it takes to receive a SEC Whistleblower Award varies greatly and is determined by a number of factors, including the complexity of the case, the number of individuals involved, and the time required for the SEC to conduct its investigation and take enforcement action.

It can take several years on average from the time information is submitted to the SEC until the SEC takes enforcement action and the whistleblower is eligible for an award. The SEC Whistleblower Office will make a determination on the award and notify the whistleblower once the enforcement action is resolved.

Can I submit a tip to the SEC if I was involved in the fraud or misconduct?

Individuals who have violated securities laws may still submit information to the SEC as a whistleblower and be eligible for an award through the SEC Whistleblower Program.

However, once you submit the information to the SEC, the SEC can share it with other agencies such as the Department of Justice, so it is critical to consult with an experienced attorney before proceeding. Our attorneys have extensive experience with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s whistleblower program and can provide a free confidential information.