Aug. 9, 2018
I support the whistleblower rule amendments and particularly the additional tools in award determinations. There are various forms of prosecution agreements including DPAs and NPAs, and various routes to employ such as Federal departments, state attorney generals, etc. Whistleblowers come forth seeking justice and change. Their reward should not be administratively confined as it is today because they didn't choose the right venue, or the one they selected pursued agreements or results that did not yield a monetary award. The expanded tools will strengthen the whistleblower award incentive for persons to take time and maybe expose themselves to report what should be reported.
Also some whistleblowers are not represented or do not want to be represented by attorneys that help navigate with whom to make a claim. Using attorneys can also erode their potential award which is a dis-incentive for their reporting. The rule amendment would give more comfort and confidence the SEC would help as an advocate and focal point for complaints. In essence, the rule amendment would better facilitate a one-stop-shop for whistleblower bringing forward valuable information and entrust it's in good hands.
Kind regards,