SEC Awards $14 Million to Whistleblower

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Tuesday that it has awarded more than $14 million to a whistleblower whose information led to an SEC enforcement action that recovered “substantial” investor funds.

The whistleblower program rewards high-quality original information that results in an SEC enforcement action with sanctions exceeding $1 million, and awards can range from 10% to 30% of the money collected in a case.

“Our whistleblower program already has had a big impact on our investigations by providing us with high quality, meaningful tips,” said SEC Chair Mary Jo White, in a statement. “We hope an award like this encourages more individuals with information to come forward.”

The SEC says that the whistleblower, who asked for anonymity, provided original information and assistance that allowed the SEC to investigate an enforcement matter more quickly than otherwise would have been possible. “Less than six months after receiving the whistleblower’s tip, the SEC was able to bring an enforcement action against the perpetrators and secure investor funds,” the agency said.

“While it is certainly gratifying to make this significant award payout, the even better news for investors is that whistleblowers are coming forward to assist us in stopping potential fraud in its tracks so that no future investors are harmed,” said Sean McKessy, chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower, in the same statement. “That ultimately is what the whistleblower program is all about.”