Whistleblower Rights for Corporate Executives
If you are an executive working for a large corporation and you become aware of securities violations, you might be wondering what, if anything, you’re able to do about it. The concern of whether you could be subject to an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or even face criminal charges is enough for most corporate executives to keep their mouths shut.
However, executives who come forward with information regarding securities fraud have the opportunity to win whistleblower awards for their bravery in speaking out. Continue reading to learn more about blowing the whistle as a corporate executive.
The Right to Protect Your Identity
All whistleblowers are protected by law under the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd Frank Acts. Learning of securities fraud of any kind when you are working as an executive can not only be damaging for your professional reputation, but it can be downright dangerous.
For this reason, you have the right to report your tip under the condition of anonymity when you are represented by a qualified SEC whistleblower lawyer. When you are an anonymous whistleblower, not even the SEC will be aware of your identity unless or until you are rewarded for your information.
Because your identity will be protected, you shouldn’t have to worry about your employer retaliating. As a corporate executive, protecting your identity is of utmost importance when you are in the process of blowing the whistle on SEC violations.
When You Can Win an Award
Corporate executives and officers aren’t always eligible to win whistleblower awards. In fact, in order to be rewarded, the executive in question must adhere to the following requirements:
- They must provide information that is both valuable and original, as any other whistleblower would.
- They must believe that the company is acting in a way that will interfere with an SEC or Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation.
- They must wait 120 days after reporting to their corporation’s internal compliance program; or, they have knowledge that the company is already aware of such misconduct; or, if they believe that not disclosing the fraudulent activity will cause significant financial loss to investors or the corporation.
Speak with an SEC Whistleblower Lawyer
When you become aware of colleagues or subordinates engaging in securities violations and you want to put a stop to it, consider blowing the whistle. At Meissner Associates, we are dedicated to helping whistleblowers across the country protect investors and securities markets by exposing fraud.
You can complete the secured contact form we’ve provided below or call our office directly at 1-866-764-3100 to schedule your confidential tip assessment today.