2017-04-25 SEC Press press_release 61 KB 1,699 chars

SEC Awards Nearly $4 Million to Whistleblower

Release
2017-84
summary

The SEC awarded nearly $4 million to a whistleblower who provided detailed, original information and ongoing assistance in an investigation into serious securities misconduct, helping the agency achieve over $953 million in financial remedies while remaining anonymous under federal protection.

paragraph

The SEC awarded nearly $4 million to a whistleblower whose detailed, original information and specialized industry expertise significantly aided an investigation into serious securities misconduct. This tip contributed to enforcement actions that have collectively resulted in over $953 million in financial remedies, with $153 million distributed to 43 whistleblowers since the program’s inception. Awards range from 10% to 30% of monetary sanctions exceeding $1 million and are funded exclusively by penalties paid by violators, not harmed investors.

narrative

The SEC awarded nearly $4 million to a whistleblower who provided detailed, original information and continued to assist the agency during its investigation, offering industry-specific expertise that enhanced efficiency. Although the specific wrongdoer and nature of the misconduct were not disclosed, the whistleblower’s tip was instrumental in enabling the SEC to pursue successful enforcement actions. Since the program’s launch, whistleblower tips have led to more than $953 million in financial remedies against securities law violators, with $153 million awarded to 43 eligible whistleblowers. Awards are calculated at 10% to 30% of monetary sanctions exceeding $1 million and are drawn entirely from penalties paid by wrongdoers, ensuring no funds are taken from harmed investors. The SEC is legally required to protect whistleblower confidentiality and does not disclose any information that could reveal their identity. Jane Norberg, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower, highlighted the value of whistleblowers with specialized knowledge in reducing investigative costs and accelerating enforcement. The program remains a critical tool for uncovering fraud, incentivizing insiders to come forward with credible, actionable information.

Enriched metadata

Scheme
non-corporate (100%)
Victim loss
$953,000,000
Classified non-corporate(confidence 100%). No EDGAR filing fingerprint (criminal/DOJ-side scheme). detection rule →
Parties
jane norbergsec enforcement actionsSecurities and Exchange Commission
Keywords
whistleblowersecmillionnearly millionmillion whistleblowerenforcement actionsawardsinformationawards nearlyinformation aboutwhistleblower awardsmonetary sanctionsnearlywhistleblowersenforcement

Exhibits & Attached Documents (1)

Extracted insights

Dollar amounts 4
  • $953.00M $953 million $100M–$1B
  • $153.00M $153 million $100M–$1B
  • $4.00M $4 million $1M–$10M
  • $1.00M $1 million $1M–$10M
Entities 3
  • person jane norberg
  • agency sec enforcement actions
  • agency Securities and Exchange Commission
Triples 6
  • Securities And Exchange Commission Announced Award Of Nearly $4 Million To Whistleblower
  • Jane Norberg Said Whistleblowers Can Help Expend Fewer Resources In Investigations
  • Approximately $153 Million Has Been Awarded To 43 Whistleblowers
  • SEC Enforcement Actions Have Resulted In More Than $953 Million In Financial Remedies
  • SEC Protects Confidentiality Of Whistleblowers
  • All Payments Are Made Out Of Investor Protection Fund Established By Congress
PDF (from attached: pdf)
Text layers
Extracted body text (1,699c)
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced an award of nearly $4 million to a whistleblower who tipped the agency with detailed and specific information about serious misconduct and provided additional assistance during the ensuing investigation, including industry-specific knowledge and expertise. “Not only did this whistleblower step forward and report suspicious conduct, but continued to help after we opened our investigation,” said Jane Norberg, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. “Whistleblowers with specialized experience or expertise can help us expend fewer resources in our investigations and bring enforcement actions more efficiently.” Approximately $153 million has now been awarded to 43 whistleblowers who became eligible for an award after voluntarily providing the SEC with original and useful information that led to successful enforcement actions. SEC enforcement actions from whistleblower tips have resulted in more than $953 million in financial remedies against wrongdoers. By law, the SEC protects the confidentiality of whistleblowers and does not disclose information that might directly or indirectly reveal a whistleblower’s identity. Whistleblower awards can range from 10 percent to 30 percent of the money collected when the monetary sanctions exceed $1 million. All payments are made out of an investor protection fund established by Congress that 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. For more information about the whistleblower program and how to report a tip, visit www.sec.gov/whistleblower.
OCR text (1,699c · plain-text · 99% conf)
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced an award of nearly $4 million to a whistleblower who tipped the agency with detailed and specific information about serious misconduct and provided additional assistance during the ensuing investigation, including industry-specific knowledge and expertise. “Not only did this whistleblower step forward and report suspicious conduct, but continued to help after we opened our investigation,” said Jane Norberg, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. “Whistleblowers with specialized experience or expertise can help us expend fewer resources in our investigations and bring enforcement actions more efficiently.” Approximately $153 million has now been awarded to 43 whistleblowers who became eligible for an award after voluntarily providing the SEC with original and useful information that led to successful enforcement actions. SEC enforcement actions from whistleblower tips have resulted in more than $953 million in financial remedies against wrongdoers. By law, the SEC protects the confidentiality of whistleblowers and does not disclose information that might directly or indirectly reveal a whistleblower’s identity. Whistleblower awards can range from 10 percent to 30 percent of the money collected when the monetary sanctions exceed $1 million. All payments are made out of an investor protection fund established by Congress that 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. For more information about the whistleblower program and how to report a tip, visit www.sec.gov/whistleblower.