SEC AWARDS $875,000 IN WHISTLEBLOWER MONEY TO BE SPLIT BETWEEN TWO TIPSTERS

FROM:  U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION 

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced a whistleblower award of more than $875,000 to be split evenly between two individuals who provided tips and assistance to help the agency bring an enforcement action.

The SEC’s whistleblower program authorized by the Dodd-Frank Act rewards high-quality, original information that results in an SEC enforcement action with sanctions exceeding $1 million.  Whistleblower awards can range from 10 percent to 30 percent of the money collected in a case.

By law, the SEC must protect the confidentiality of whistleblowers and cannot disclose any information that might directly or indirectly reveal a whistleblower’s identity.

“These whistleblowers provided original information and assistance that enabled us to investigate and bring a successful enforcement action in a complex area of the securities market,” said Sean McKessy, chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower.  “Whistleblowers who report their concerns to the SEC perform a great service to investors and help us combat fraud.”

A total of eight whistleblowers have been awarded through the SEC’s whistleblower program since it began in late 2011.