D. E. Shaw fined $10M for impeding potential whistleblowers
By 
Aly McDevitt2023-09-29T18:30:00
New York-based investment adviser D. E. Shaw & Co. will pay a $10 million penalty to settle charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that the company raised impediments to whistleblowing by employees.
From at least 2011 through 2019, the firm required new employees to sign agreements prohibiting the disclosure of confidential corporate information to third parties unless authorized, without an exception for potential SEC whistleblowers, the agency said in a press release Friday.
Further, from at least 2011 through 2023, the firm required departing employees to sign releases affirming they had not filed any complaints with any government agency in order for them to receive deferred compensation and/or other benefits.
Related articles
-
News BriefSEC penalizes seven firms $3M total for impeding whistleblower protections
Seven public companies will pay a total of $3 million in fines for requiring employees to sign agreements containing provisions that impeded their ability to report misconduct to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
-
News BriefSEC fines Nationwide Planning, affiliates combined $240K over impeding whistleblowers
Broker-dealer Nationwide Planning Associates and two affiliated investment advisers impeded potential whistleblowers from reporting misconduct to the Securities and Exchange Commission and have agreed to settle the charges for a combined $240,000.
-
News BriefCFPB warns against censoring whistleblowers via broad NDAs
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is warning companies against intimidating potential whistleblowers by forcing them to sign broad nondisclosure agreements to deter misconduct from coming to light.
More from Regulatory Enforcement
-
ArticleGeorgia Tech to pay $875,000 for allegations brought by compliance officers
Georgia Tech Research Corp. (GTRC) has agreed to pay $875,000 to settle allegations first raised by two compliance officers that its cybersecurity protocols violated acceptable standards for defense contractors, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
-
ArticleTractor Supply Company hit with $1.35M fine for alleged California privacy violations
Tractor Supply Company has agreed to get into compliance with California’s consumer privacy law and to pay a $1.35 million fine—the largest yet by California—to settle allegations it violated the privacy rights of customers and job applicants.
-
Basic PageLuminUltra fined $685K by BIS for illegal shipment to Iran
A single $33,000 shipment to Iran triggered a six-figure penalty and years of compliance oversight for biotechnology company LuminUltra Technologies, Inc.