WASHINGTON, D.C. | July 28, 2021 — On July 29, Gary Gensler, the Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will deliver remarks at the National Whistleblower Center’s (NWC) National Whistleblower Day 2021 celebration. Gensler will speak alongside other prominent government officials and Congress members. The celebration will also feature several high-profile whistleblowers, including Enron whistleblower Sherron Watkins.
Gensler was confirmed as Chair of the SEC in April 2021. As the head of the agency, he oversees the SEC’s Whistleblower Program, considered to be the gold-standard of whistleblower reward programs. Before his confirmation as Chair, Gensler pledged his support for the whistleblower program, which is in the midst of a record-setting fiscal year.
The SEC has awarded approximately $942 million to 186 individuals since issuing its first award in 2012. Whistleblower disclosures have allowed the SEC to recoup nearly $3 billion in monetary sanctions.
Following Chair Gensler’s speech, Enron whistleblower Sherron Watkins will speak with NWC Chairman of the Board and leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn about the history behind National Whistleblower Day. Watkins is the former Vice President of Enron who alerted then-CEO Ken Lay in August 2001 to accounting irregularities, warning that Enron ‘might implode in a wave of accounting scandals.’
The keynote remarks of National Whistleblower Day, including Gensler’s speech, will begin at 11 AM EDT on July 29, 2021. Watkins’ interview with Kohn is scheduled for 11:30 AM EDT.
Members of the media are encouraged to RSVP for National Whistleblower Day 2021 for updates and for a link to join the event.
