SEC awarding $20M to whistleblower

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday it is awarding $20 million to a whistleblower who provided “new and critical” information that led to a successful enforcement action.

The agency said in a statement that in determining the appropriate award amount it considered that the whistleblower provided significant information and continuing assistance that helped its enforcement division staff investigate complex issues “more quickly and efficiently.”

The SEC protects whistleblowers’ confidentiality.

The agency announced in October it was awarding more than $10 million to a whistleblower who provided information and assistance that “significantly contributed” to a successful SEC enforcement action.