The chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Whistleblower will resign from his post in late July, the federal agency announced Friday evening.
Sean McKessy, the first leader of the five-year-old initiative, oversaw the review of all tips from whistleblowers. McKessy reviewed more than 14,000 tips from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 95 foreign countries. Under his leadership, the office awarded more than $85 million to 32 people who flagged others’ inappropriate actions to his agency.
“It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as the first chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. Working with the extraordinarily talented and dedicated staff of the Whistleblower Office and the Enforcement Division in standing up a groundbreaking and exemplary Whistleblower Office has been the highlight of my professional career,” McKessy said in a statement, but did not state his reason for resigning.
The SEC estimates it has ordered $504 million in sanctions and collected $453 million to date as a result of whistleblowers since the office was established.
“The SEC’s whistleblower program has had a transformative impact on the agency, and Sean’s service as the first head of the Whistleblower Office has contributed greatly to the program’s success,” said Andrew Ceresney, director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division. “Sean has been a staunch advocate for whistleblowers, a relentless promoter of the program, and an invaluable advisor on these issues.”
Jane Norberg, deputy chief of the Whistleblower Office, will serve as acting chief until a permanent replacement is hired.
