SEC Is Still Waiting For A Big FCPA Tip

The SEC Whistleblower program has yet to land a big FCPA case.  SEC Whistleblower Head Sean McKessy predicts that FCPA claims will materialize and believes the number of FCPA tips reported may be higher than noted.  Nonetheless, others are skeptical about whether the FCPA is a viable avenue for SEC whistleblowers.  Professor Mike Koehler of the Southern Illinois University predicts low numbers of FCPA tips primarily because most investigations arise from company self-disclosures.  Recent FCPA enforcement actions show a great deal of SEC interest in the claims.  GlaxoSmithKline recently  reported that a number of its senior executives in China may have bribed medical providers in that country. Other companies have reported kickbacks in China, as well.  Most of these allegations, however, arose from internal investigations.  Many believe that the SEC may see a number of whistleblowers who come from outside of the United States.