Maryland Whistleblower Lawyer

When you’re ready to come forward and provide the information you have to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), speak with an experienced Maryland whistleblower attorney.

The fear of retaliation often prevents would-be whistleblowers from coming forward, despite the burden of having knowledge of fraudulent activity that can affect the public, coworkers, and investors. Fortunately, the SEC has provided protection for whistleblowers in Maryland and all over the country so they can provide tips and remain anonymous.

Working with a Maryland whistleblower lawyer who is knowledgeable about securities fraud can help you take advantage of the information you’ve obtained. With Meissner Associates on your side, you will have a dedicated team supporting you while you blow the whistle on securities violations and seek your reward.

Requirements Your Tip Must Meet to Win an Award

In order for you to become a rewarded whistleblower, your tip needs to meet specific criteria as outlined in the Dodd-Frank Act. First, your tip must be both original and voluntary. When we say “original,” what we mean is that you need to be the first to come forward with the information you have, and it needs to have come from a source that has not been made public.

A tip that is voluntarily provided means that the SEC didn’t have to approach you with questions regarding the possible violation—you need to have come forward before being interviewed by the SEC.

Then, the SEC needs to be able to use your tip to enforce action on the violating company. You can expect that, the more valuable your tip is to the success of the investigation, the greater your award will be. If the SEC is able to recover sanctions of at least $1,000,000, you will be entitled to between 10 and 30 percent of whatever the agency recovers, depending on the value of the information you provided.

Your Maryland SEC whistleblower lawyer at Meissner Associates will be able to discuss the potential your tip carries and what you can expect as you move forward in the whistleblowing process.

Securities Violations You Can Bring to the SEC’s Attention

Even those who work in the securities and financial industries can have a hard time determining when fraudulent activity is happening. However, there are certain types of violations that happen with alarming frequency. Some of the most common types of violations our clients have brought to the attention of the SEC include the following:

  • Insider Trading – This occurs when someone uses information that is confidential and has not been made public to make trades on the stock market. Catching insider trading can be a challenge, which is why it’s often crucial to have the assistance of a whistleblower lawyer in Maryland.
  • Ponzi and Pyramid Schemes – The Ponzi scheme is probably the most infamous type of fraud. It happens when someone promotes an investment opportunity that doesn’t exist, pulls investors in, and uses the funds raised from new investors to pay older investors. Pyramid schemes are similar, except that the fraudster requires investors to bring in recruits and then pays old recruits with the funds raised by new recruits.
  • Embezzlement – When a person who is entrusted with money takes that money and uses it for personal reasons, he or she is committing embezzlement.
  • Money Laundering – If someone has illegally obtained money in some way, hides the money in business dealings and foreign banks, and then refuses to disclose where he or she obtained the money, that person is laundering money.
  • Manipulation and Mispricing of Stocks – This occurs when a broker, trader, or someone else working on the stock market manipulates or changes the prices of stocks in order to further opportunities for investors. Usually, the person who has mispriced stocks does so for financial gain.

If you have come upon information about any of the schemes listed above, your best chance of putting a stop to the fraud and increasing your chances of becoming an award-winning whistleblower may be to call a whistleblower attorney in Maryland. Our firm will help you provide your tip to the SEC. Sitting on this information could reduce the value of your final reward.

Protect Yourself from Retaliation

The law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who they believe might have blown the whistle on securities fraud by reporting information they have to the SEC. Retaliation, as defined in both the Dodd-Frank Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, would include demoting, harassing, terminating, or defaming you or creating a difficult work environment.

If your employer retaliates against you, you can recover double back pay and be reinstated to your position with an attorney’s help. The SEC may also take action by fining and imposing other sanctions that will punish the employer for its actions.

Meet with a Maryland SEC Whistleblower Attorney

If you would like more information about the types of securities violations you could bring to the SEC and possibly win a reward for, speak with an aggressive, results-driven lawyer at Meissner Associates today.

A Maryland whistleblower lawyer at our firm will fight tirelessly to protect your identity and ensure that you receive the award you’re entitled to. Contact our office by calling 1-866-764-3100, or fill out the secure contact form below to take advantage of a no-obligation, confidential tip assessment.