"Frivolous award applications hamper our ability to efficiently process awards to meritorious whistleblowers who come forward with helpful information intended to assist law enforcement," said Emily Pasquinelli, acting chief of the SEC's Office of the Whistleblower. "Today's permanent bars send an important message that frivolous award filers will not be tolerated."

The permanent bars imposed in these matters apply to any pending award application from the individuals at any stage of the review process, as well as to any future award application from the individuals. As set forth in the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC protects the confidentiality of whistleblowers and does not disclose any information that could reveal a whistleblower's identity.