March 29, 2021

The SEC has awarded an anonymous whistleblower $500,000 based on recoveries in a covered action and a related action that resulted in the shut-down of an ongoing fraudulent scheme. The whistleblower first reported the alleged misconduct to their employer, using the employer’s internal compliance procedures.  Then, within 120 days of reporting the violations internally, the whistleblower submitted a TCR to the SEC.  According to the SEC, the whistleblower provided significant information that prompted it to open an investigation, and provided ongoing assistance to Commission staff.  Separately, the employer began an internal investigation and ultimately made a report to a government agency.  Because the whistleblower reported internally and to the SEC within 120 days of their internal report, the SEC applied its “safe harbor” rule and treated the whistleblower’s SEC submission as if it had been made on the day that the whistleblower reported internally.  SEC

Tagged in: Financial and Investment Fraud, SEC Whistleblower Reward Program, Securities Fraud, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,