SEC Awards Over $6 Million to Joint Whistleblowers

SEC

he Securities and Exchange Commission today announced an award of over $6 million to joint whistleblowers whose information and assistance led to the successful enforcement of SEC and related actions.  The whistleblowers’ substantial assistance, provided to the SEC and another government agency, included submitting documents, participating in interviews, and identifying key individuals involved in the misconduct.

The SEC has awarded approximately $728 million to 118 individuals since issuing its first award in 2012.  This includes awards to 12 individuals in the first two months of this fiscal year, totaling more than $166 million. read more »

Supreme Court weighs child-slavery case against Nestlé USA, Cargill

WASHINGTON POST

Despite years of promises by the chocolate industry, child labor remains widespread on cocoa farms

The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday about whether U.S. chocolate companies should be held responsible for child slavery on the African farms from which they buy most of their cocoa.

Six Africans are seeking damages from Nestlé USA and Cargill, alleging that as children they were trafficked out of Mali, forced to work long hours on Ivory Coast cocoa farms and kept at night in locked shacks. Their attorneys argue that the companies should have better monitored their cocoa suppliers in West Africa, where about two-thirds of the world’s cocoa is grown and child labor is widespread. read more »

Pennsylvania Attorney Sentenced for Role in $2.7 Million Ponzi Scheme

DOJ

An Allentown, Pennsylvania, attorney was sentenced today to 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a $2.7 million investment fraud scheme that victimized his law clients.  

Todd H. Lahr, 60, of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania who also ordered Lahr to pay $2,106,918.60 in restitution and $273,091 in forfeiture. read more »