SEC Promotes Jane Norberg to Head Office of the Whistleblower

Jane Norberg, Acting Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower, has been promoted to head the department which intakes and reviews whistleblower tips received by the agency.

Earlier in July, the first chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s whistleblower office, Sean McKessy, announced that he is stepping down.

In her new role, Ms. Norberg will be tasked with evaluating whistleblower award claims, assessment of award claims, and making recommendations to the SEC on whether claimants are eligible to receive an award.

Ms. Norberg first landed at the SEC in 2012 when she served as first deputy chief of the Office of the Whistleblower. During her tenure, the whistleblower office has reviewed more than 14,000 whistleblower tips

The SEC brought over $504 million in successful enforcement actions due to the whistleblower tips, including more than $346 million in disgorgement and interest for harmed investors. More than $453 million has been collected in connection with these actions as well as successful related actions.

The Dodd Frank financial reform law empowered the SEC to award money to whistleblowers who give information to the agency which leads to a fine.

According to the SEC’s program, eligible whistleblowers receive between 10 percent and 30 percent of the monetary sanctions collected. All whistleblower awards are paid from the CFTC Customer Protection Fund established by Congress and are financed entirely through monetary sanctions paid to the CFTC by violators of the CEA.

Announcing the appointment, Andrew J. Ceresney, Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division, said: “In its short history, our whistleblower program has had a transformative impact on our agency, and Jane has played a significant role as deputy of the Office of the Whistleblower. I am proud of the program’s accomplishments, and I know that Jane will continue to ensure the program is a game changer for years to come.”

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Norberg added: “It has been an honor serving in the roles of deputy and acting chief and working with staff extremely dedicated to the mission. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to continue the work of the office and remain committed to making whistleblowers feel welcome and protected in reporting to the Commission.”