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You did not stumble onto relevant information. You work in or around commodities, futures, swaps, or derivatives markets, and you understand what you are looking at. You saw trading activity, business conduct, or financial reporting that crossed a clear line, and now you are weighing what to do with that knowledge. A Minneapolis CFTC whistleblower program lawyer can help you understand what your information is worth and what the law requires of the people who want to silence you.
At Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers, we represent people who are sitting on exactly this kind of knowledge. Coming forward is not a simple decision, and the legal process that follows requires careful, strategic handling from the start. Our seasoned whistleblower claims attorneys can help you understand your rights as a whistleblower before you take your next step. Contact us today to schedule your initial case evaluation.
Federal law gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) authority to pursue enforcement actions against those who violate the Commodity Exchange Act, and the CFTC whistleblower program exists to help regulators find them. If you have original information about conduct that falls within the CFTC’s jurisdiction, you may have a claim worth pursuing. The question is whether what you witnessed qualifies.
As a CFTC whistleblower program participant, your information must relate to a violation of the Commodity Exchange Act or CFTC regulations. The program covers a wide range of market conduct, but the most commonly reported violations involve activity such as:
You do not need to be a current employee of the offending company to qualify. Former employees, contractors, and others with relevant knowledge are eligible. Our Minneapolis attorneys can help you understand the quality and originality of your information and whether it may lead to a successful enforcement action under the CFTC whistleblower program.
The CFTC whistleblower program was designed to make reporting financially and legally worthwhile. If the CFTC brings a successful enforcement action resulting in sanctions exceeding one million dollars based on your original information, you may be entitled to a financial award of 10 to 30 percent of the sanctions collected. Given the scale of many commodities enforcement actions, that range can represent a significant sum.
Beyond the financial incentive, the program provides meaningful legal protections. When an attorney is representing you, you can submit your information anonymously, meaning the CFTC will not disclose your identity during the investigation. Federal law also prohibits your employer from retaliating against you for reporting. If your employer demotes you, cuts your pay, changes your responsibilities, or terminates you after you come forward, they are breaking the law, and you have the right to seek reinstatement, back pay, and attorney fees.
If you are hesitant to come forward with a retaliation claim, know that the longer you delay, the more opportunity your employer has to build a record that obscures the connection between your report and their response. Each day your CFTC whistleblower program claim goes without guidance from a Minneapolis attorney is a day your position weakens.
What you know has value to federal regulators, to the markets, and to your own financial future. A Minneapolis CFTC whistleblower program lawyer from our firm can help you evaluate your information, protect your identity, and strengthen your claim.
When you contact Wanta Thome for a free initial consultation, we will listen, assess your situation honestly, and tell you exactly where you stand. Contact us today to work with award-winning attorneys who deliver.