Whistleblowing and SOX
Stacy Sides
Professor Meheux
LEG 500
January 22, 2016

Whistleblowing and SOX
Describe the key characteristics of a whistleblower, and briefly summarize one researched instance of whistleblowing in one publicly traded company within the last 12 months. Include details of the issue that the whistleblower reported and the effect of the whistleblower’s actions on both the whistleblower himself and the company. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a whistleblower as a person who reveals something covert or informs against another. The decision to blow the whistle on work place malfeasance is not an easy one and not a decision one takes lightly. While this person does have the opportunity for financial gain, they also have an internal desire to right a wrong. They have to have the ability to preserver through personal and professional suffering. Their reputation can be damaged and they may be branded a snitch. Before making the decision to bring the misdeeds to light a whistleblower wrestles with where does their loyalty lie? It is with their employer and co-workers or with the greater good for society as a whole. After blowing the whistle they have to have the tenacity to see their decision through, which may be a lengthy and grueling process (Archambeault & Webber, 2015). David Danon worked as a tax lawyer at Vanguard for five years. In 2013 Danon accessed certain privileged and confidential Vanguard documents. When he refused to return them he was fired. He had chosen to send these documents to both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Internal Revenue Service (Whistle-blower or revealer of trade secrets?, 2014) . Danon has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Vanguard claiming her was fired for his refusal to go along with their tax scheme. Danon’s lawsuit levies many allegations of improper practices to avoid paying