SEVEN public companies agreed to pay a combined US$3 million to settle US Securities and Exchange Commission charges they violated whistleblower protections, the regulator said on Monday (Sep 9).
TransUnion agreed to pay US$312,000 and Acadia Healthcare Company will pay US$1.39 million in connection with the settlements the SEC disclosed on Monday.
The firms were each charged in connection with employment, separation or other agreements that violated a rule that prohibits any actions to impede individuals communicating with the regulator directly about possible violations of securities laws, the SEC said in its statement.
They have all worked towards remediation, including changing the agreements at issue, the SEC said.
The other penalties were as follows:
a.k.a. Brands Holding Corp. agreed to pay a US$399,750 civil penalty
AppFolio agreed to pay a US$692,250 civil penalty
IDEX Corporation agreed to pay a US$75,000 civil penalty
LSB Industries agreed to pay a US$156,000 civil penalty
Smart for Life agreed to pay a US$19,500 civil penalty
REUTERS
