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Enron Whistleblower Finally Gets His Sweet Reward

More than 10 years later, he collects $1.1M from IRS

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 16, 2011 7:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – Two years before Enron’s 2001 implosion, a whistleblower tipped off the IRS to the company’s abusive tax shelters and fictitious income. Now that whistleblower is finally getting his reward, to the tune of $1.1 million from the IRS, the Washington Post reports. He remains anonymous, but his lawyers acknowledge that he testified before the Senate Finance Committee in 2004, where he complained about his “frustrating and discouraging” interactions with the IRS. The tipster’s reward is the maximum that was allowed under law at the time he blew the whistle: 15% of the unpaid taxes that his information led the IRS to recover.

A logo glows in front of the new corporate headquarters of the Houston-based energy trading firm Enron November 29, 2001 in Houston, Texas.
A logo glows in front of the new corporate headquarters of the Houston-based energy trading firm Enron November 29, 2001 in Houston, Texas.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
BCto
Mar 16, 2011 6:46 PM CDT
Would of been more lucrative to extort Enron THEN go to the feds.
billcrawford
Mar 16, 2011 12:16 PM CDT
"Now that whistleblower is finally getting his reward, to the tune of $1.1 million from the IRS." Ten years latter, try doing that to the IRS and see what you get and what do you bet most of his new found gains went away in taxes! typical of a greedy out of control government.
Dave99
Mar 16, 2011 7:42 AM CDT
Ah yes another perfect example of the vast criminal business-class that conservatives have deified. Aren't we lucky that we have them around to "give" us jobs out of the kindness of their hearts. Better do everything Mr. Businessman says or he'll take your job away. Then after you get done bowing and scraping you can pretend you are a free american.
 

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