The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently released its 2011 annual report on the whistleblower bounty program adopted earlier this year. The program was designed to award whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original information to the SEC regarding violations of securities laws where the enforcement action leads to monetary sanctions totalling more than $1 million.
According to the report, 334 whistleblower tips were received between August 12, 2011, when the final rules became effective, and September 30. The most common complaint categories were market manipulation, corporate disclosures and financial statements, and offering frauds. The SEC has yet to pay any whistleblower awards.
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