National Holdings has reached a proposed settlement in a lawsuit filed by a former chief compliance officer who alleged she was fired for investigating insider trading by the brokerage firm’s executives, although the firm denies the allegations.
Whistleblowers
Posted inRegulatory Enforcement
SEC: GPB Capital operated ‘Ponzi-like’ scheme, retaliated against whistleblower
GPB Capital Holdings allegedly defrauded more than 17,000 retail investors in a Ponzi-like scheme, then attempted to impede an employee from blowing the whistle on the illegal practices, according to the SEC.
Posted inWhistleblowers
SEC sets whistleblower annual award record ($176M) four months into fiscal year
The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced over $176 million in whistleblower awards in the first four months of the current fiscal year, already more than any other year in its history.
Posted inAML
We’ve been failing at AML efforts, but new U.S. rules offer hope
If we fail to improve our collective AML efforts, specialized law firms will offer an inviting incentive to those who blow the whistle on our continued failings, writes Martin Woods.
Posted inAccounting & Auditing
Audit whistleblower receives $300K in rare SEC award
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the award of $300,000 to a whistleblower with audit-related responsibilities, a rarity for the program.
Posted inAML
Congress passes defense bill with big ramifications for AML, whistleblowers
Congress’ defense spending bill approved Friday includes amendments that could dramatically alter the fight against money laundering, in addition to a new BSA whistleblower program with some kinks to be worked out.
Posted inAML
Compliance pros, cons included in Congress defense spending bill
Beneficial ownership provisions contained in Congress’ defense spending bill should go a long way in the fight against money laundering, but holes in the bill’s proposed whistleblower program are open for criticism, says Aaron Nicodemus. For more Nailed It or Failed It, click here.
Posted inRegulatory Policy
Congress approves enhanced protections for antitrust whistleblowers
After four tries, Congress has finally passed a bill prohibiting employers from retaliating against whistleblowers who report violations of antitrust laws to the Department of Justice.
Posted inData Privacy, ESG/Social Responsibility, Ethics & Culture, Regulatory Policy, Whistleblowers
Ten things I’d like to see happen in 2021
Many of the things I’d like to see in 2021 are directly related to regulatory changes we anticipate are coming under a Biden administration, but they’re mixed with a few lessons from the pandemic we hope carry into a post-COVID world.
Posted inEurope
Making the case for companies to create ‘Ombuds’ function to meet EU whistleblower rules
The creation of an independent, competent “Ombuds” function could be used by companies to respond to certain key requirements in the EU’s Whistleblower Protection Directive.
