Jan. 13, 2023 —The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced an award of more than $5 million to a whistleblower whose information led to a successful SEC enforcement action.
The whistleblower provided a tip and additional information that helped SEC staff shape its investigative strategy, identify witnesses, and draft document and information requests. The whistleblower also internally reported concerns prior to submitting information to the SEC.
“The whistleblower in this case provided helpful information and substantial ongoing assistance, saving the SEC time and resources during its investigation,” said Creola Kelly, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower.
Payments to whistleblowers are made out of an investor protection fund, established by Congress, which is financed entirely through monetary sanctions paid to the SEC by securities law violators. No money has been taken or withheld from harmed investors to pay whistleblower awards. Whistleblowers may be eligible for an award when they voluntarily provide the SEC with original, timely, and credible information that leads to a successful enforcement action. Whistleblower awards can range from 10 to 30 percent of the money collected when the monetary sanctions exceed $1 million.
As set forth in the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC protects the confidentiality of whistleblowers and does not disclose any information that could reveal a whistleblower’s identity.
Call Sallah Astarita & Cox for a consultation to see if you have a viable whistleblower tip – 212-509-6544. Whistleblowers with attorneys have added confidentiality and an increased chance for success.
Mark Astarita is a nationally recognized securities attorney, who represents investors, financial professionals and firms in securities litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters, including SEC and FINRA investigations and enforcement proceedings.
He is a partner in the national securities law firm Sallah Astarita & Cox, LLC, and the founder of The Securities Law Home Page - SECLaw.com, which was one of the first legal topic sites on the Internet. It went online in 1995 and is updated daily with news, commentary and securities law related links.