SEC Adopts Whistleblower Rules Under Dodd-Frank
On May 25, 2011, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by a 3–2 vote adopted final rules implementing the whistleblower award program of Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank).i New Regulation 21F requires the SEC to pay cash awards to whistleblowers who voluntarily supply the SEC with original information leading to a judicial or administrative action in which the SEC obtains monetary sanctions over $1 million, subject to certain limitations. Whistleblowers who provide such information are eligible for a cash award of from 10 to 30 percent of the monetary sanctions. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against individuals who provide the SEC with information about possible federal securities law violations, and victims of retaliation are granted an independent cause of action.
