Serving Clients in Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, Washington D.C. & Throughout the U.S.
Financial markets play a huge role in the smooth operation of American commerce. They're where everyday Americans invest their life savings, and they're where small businesses acquire the capital they need to operate on a day-to-day basis.
Keeping financial markets healthy and fair is the role of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is the government body that regulates Wall Street and other financial institutions. But the SEC is often overwhelmed, and it relies on the work of brave whistleblowers to keep it informed of securities fraud.
If you're aware of securities fraud and you're considering blowing the whistle, don't try to do it on your own. You need the assistance of a skilled, experienced securities fraud attorney to help protect you in this difficult time.
If you want to speak to our experienced securities fraud lawyer about your legal options, please call Mr. Shoemaker today at 757.223.4560. Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein is located in Virginia, but we welcome cases from across the country.
How We Can Help
Federal law protects those trying to blow the whistle ona fraud in the finncial industry. Both the Sarbannes-Oxley Act, passed in the wake of the Enron accounting scandal, and the Dodd-Frank Act, the financial reform packaged passed in 2010 in response to the financial crisis of 2007-2008, provide strong protections to whistleblowers.
Under these laws, you are protected from retaliation for blowing the whistle. You cannot be fired, demoted, have your hours cut or be given worse work responsibilities as a result of your whistleblowing. And under the Dodd-Frank Act, you can receive between 10 to 30 percent of fines levied as a result of your whistleblowing.
Both the Sarbannes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank Act provide are different in important ways from the False Claims Act. For example, under Dodd-Frank, you file your complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or Commodity Futures Trading Commission, not a public court of law. And unlike the False Claims Act, Dodd-Frank does not provide you with the ability to file a private legal action if the government opts not to pursue charges.
These are massive, complicated laws, and they have a lot of provisions that can bare directly on your case. When you decide to blow the whistle, speak with our attorneys first. We'll review the relevant laws and help you proceed in the way that best protects you and your rights and interests.
If you have questions about your rights and protections under Sarbannes-Oxley or Dodd-Frank and want to speak to an experienced securities fraud attorney, please call Mr. Shoemaker today at 757.223.4560.