Whistleblowers Handbook, Second Edition, is released today

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Richard Renner

Handbook Cover

The NWC is proud to announce the release of the second edition of The Whistleblower’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself. This second edition includes a new 20–page checklist on the procedures for obtaining Dodd-Frank Act rewards from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The checklist covers the SEC's regulations that went into effect on August 11, 2011, and provides insights on how whistleblowers can use the new regulations to maximize their potential rewards. See pages 276-296.

The new edition also explains how whistleblowers can use the Dodd-Frank Act to blow the whistle on violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The FCPA prohibits companies traded in the United States from bribing officials in other countries. The SEC can require that companies caught violating the FCPA “disgorge” the monies received through the violation. As the SEC penalty can be much greater than the amount of the bribe itself, the whistleblower's reward of 10 to 30 percent of the SEC recovery can also be very large. Whistleblowers anywhere in the world can now submit anonymous reward claims for reporting corruption of local officials. See pages 30-32 and 294-295.

Other new features of the second edition include:

  • How to navigate opportunities to report violations to internal channels and the SEC. Pages 280-281.

  • Tips for employees of corporate compliance and internal audit departments. Page 282.

  • Examples of the types of corporate misconduct that violate SEC rules and can become the basis for Dodd-Frank rewards. Pages 292-293.

  • Managing retaliation claims under both the Dodd-Frank Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). Page 290.

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Occupy DC Occupies EPA

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Richard Renner

Occupy EPAActivists from Occupy Washington DC on Freedom Plaza marched to the headquarters of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday. Billed as "Occupy EPA," the event called on the EPA to do its job to protect Americans from toxic pollution.

The march had a decidedly pro-whistleblower theme as we marched from Freedom Plaza to EPA headquarters. Led by Dr. Margaret Flowers, marchers chanted, "Hey hey, NO FEAR, blow the whistle at EPA." With EPA whistleblower Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, we blew whistles and passed out cards to passersby. The cards asked, "Do you know something that could save a life or help the planet? Do you want to report it?" The cards then provided links to whistleblower web sites, including that of the National Whistleblowers Center. The marchers rallied on Federal Triangle, in front of the office of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. There, Dr. Coleman-Adebayo led us in reading the text of the NO FEAR Act.

Supporters plan to march to the EPA and rally on Wednesdays. Meet at 12 noon at Freedom Plaza, 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. For more photos, follow the link to the continuation of this blog post.

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