Securities Whistleblower Reward Attorney
Whistleblower Team Lead
Former DOJ Attorney
Whistleblower Team Lead
Whistleblower Team
Former U.S. Attorney and District Attorney
Securities are financial instruments that usually take the form of a stock, bond, or option. These assets are important components of our economy and provide monetary funding and support to millions of Americans. Unfortunately, they are also prime vehicles for fraud and abuse. Scammers have engaged in securities law violations for decades and have left countless victims in their wake.
Various federal agencies, primarily the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), enforce the nation’s securities laws. However, their work is hampered by the reality of limited budgets and too few staff members. This is where a securities whistleblower plays a critical role in helping the government carry out its mission. Not only do they protect investors and the public, but they may also earn substantial monetary rewards for doing so. The securities whistleblower rewards attorney of Oberheiden P.C. is ready to assist you in becoming a whistleblower.
Examples of Federal Securities Laws Fraud and Abuse
Contact our office for guidance if you are unsure whether you have observed evidence of securities law violation. These are common examples of fraud and abuse which may lead an insider to blow the whistle and claim financial rewards from a successful SEC enforcement action:
- Market manipulation: Anything that distorts financial markets may be considered manipulation, such as insider trading and knowingly spreading false information about a company.
- Money laundering: Money laundering involves hiding the original source of money through legitimate businesses and financial institutions, a practice that funds criminal and terrorist organizations.
- Cryptocurrency fraud: As cryptocurrency has become a more common investment tool, there has been a steady rise in fraudulent activity concerning them.
- Improper accounting: Accounting fraud allows scammers to cover up their activities and mislead investors about the soundness of their investment products.
- Ponzi schemes: Ponzi schemes promise unrealistic investments and involve paying earlier investors with money from more recent ones.
- Front-running: Learning about an expected large transaction and acting on that information for personal financial gain is called front-running.
- Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA): Bribing foreign officials to enrich one’s business is illegal under the FCPA, and the SEC enforces this law.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Dr. Nick Oberheiden
Founder
Attorney-at-Law
Lynette S. Byrd
Former DOJ Trial Attorney
Partner
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Hon. Kevin McCarthy
55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)
Government Consultant
Mike Pompeo
Of Counsel
Former U.S. Secretary of State
John W. Sellers
Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney
Linda Julin McNamara
Federal Appeals Attorney
Nicholas B. Johnson
Former Prosecutor
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (DOJ)
Chris J. Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Michael S. Koslow
Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
What You Need to Know About Being a Whistleblower
If you have evidence that someone is violating securities laws as described above or otherwise, blowing the whistle on this activity can end it. You may also qualify for a reward after the successful enforcement action. Here are the basics you need to know:
Requirements for the information
Your evidence must be original to qualify you for SEC whistleblower rewards. This means it is not already known to the government or to the general public. The information can allow the government to open a new investigation or support an existing one. However, you must voluntarily provide the evidence, which we assist.
The amount of the reward
If the government recovers at least $1 million in legal penalties from the parties engaged in fraudulent or otherwise illegal securities activity, the whistleblower whose information helped the government can claim a reward. The amount of whistleblower award will depend on various factors (see below) but ranges from 10% to 30% of the monetary sanctions recovered from the securities violations.
Factors that affect the reward amount
The more substantial, detailed, and significant your evidence of wrongdoing is, the more likely it is that your reward will be higher. Also, the government values individuals who cooperate and provide ongoing assistance during the investigation and prosecution of criminals. Lastly, the government’s level of interest in stopping the specific crimes involved and protecting the public will also affect the amount of your reward.
Acting quickly is in your best interest
The government prioritizes whistleblowers who do not unduly delay taking action. If another person reports the information you have before you do, you will be cut out of a reward. When a client retains our firm, we act quickly in evaluating the information and reporting it to the government if what you know qualifies for a securities whistleblower case.
The law protects you
You are entitled to remain anonymous as a securities whistleblower under the False Claims Act. We protect the identity of clients who work with us and represent them when dealing with the SEC. If you disclose your identity to the SEC, the agency is legally obligated to maintain your anonymity. Also, it is against the law for an employer to discriminate against you because of your status as a whistleblower. Our SEC whistleblower lawyers can help you assert your rights if you are fired, demoted, or otherwise punished by your employer.
Our Firm Is Here to Advocate For You
Our securities whistleblower rewards attorney have represented clients in countless actions against parties engaging in various forms of fraud and abuse, including with respect to securities. When you retain us to handle your whistleblower case, we will get to work by:
- Evaluating the evidence you have to determine whether it will qualify you for a reward
- Helping you decide if the SEC whistleblower program is best suited to your information
- Reporting your information to the government by filing the necessary paperwork with authorities
- Handling all communications with the SEC to increase the likelihood of a higher reward
- Protecting your anonymity and helping you take advantage of anti-retaliation laws
- Making the case for the maximum whistleblower reward amount available by demonstrating the value of your information to the government
Contact Our Experienced SEC Whistleblower Lawyers
Do you have evidence that someone is breaking the nation’s securities laws? Would you like to put an end to these crimes, help victims obtain justice, and claim a reward in the process? It’s time to reach out to the securities whistleblower rewards attorney of Oberheiden P.C. We can schedule your confidential consultation with our office today.
