SEC Awards More Than $20 Million to Whistleblower

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced an award of more than $20 million to a whistleblower who provided information and assistance that significantly contributed to a successful enforcement action. The whistleblower provided new information, met with Enforcement Division staff multiple times, and remained cooperative throughout the investigation. "Whistleblowers may lead to the success of an enforcement matter by providing information that causes an investigation or examination to open or that meaningfully advances an existing 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.