Whistleblowers in Action: CFTC Slaps Trafigura with $55 Million Penalty in Landmark Case

In a landmark decision, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has levied a fine of $55 million against Trafigura Trading LLC, a subsidiary of the global commodities trader based in Houston, Trafigura PTE, Ltd. This action marks the first-ever enforcement by the CFTC under its whistleblower protection rule, established seven years ago. Announced on June 17, 2024, the settlement addresses several violations related to the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations committed by Trafigura Trading LLC. Understanding the Case A crucial detail in this case is the CFTC’s accusation that Trafigura mandated both current and former employees to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) that effectively obstructed them from discussing issues with the CFTC, law enforcement, and other regulatory entities. These restrictive provisions allegedly impeded the CFTC’s investigation. “This is the first CFTC action charging a company under regulations designed to prevent interference with whistleblower communications,” stated Brian Young, director of the CFTC’s Whistleblower Office. “This groundbreaking action demonstrates the CFTC’s commitment to protecting potential whistleblowers and puts the market on notice that the CFTC will not tolerate contractual arrangements that could impede communication by potential witnesses.“ The CFTC whistleblower rule, Regulation 165.19(b), prohibits actions by companies that hinder individuals from directly reaching out to the Commission regarding potential breaches of the CEA. This rule was contravened when Trafigura‘s NDAs, executed between July 31, 2017, and 2020, failed to include specific exceptions allowing employees to relay information to regulatory agencies. In its defense, the company contended that it had proactively implemented significant improvements to its compliance framework, which included the introduction of new risk-based policies and employee training programs. Dissent Among CFTC Commissioners Nevertheless, two CFTC commissioners, Summer Mersinger and Caroline Pham, voiced their dissent regarding the enforcement action. They posited that the company had not overtly “acted” to obstruct reporting, and the whistleblower regulations do not require specific language within employment contracts for compliance. This enforcement measure by the CFTC is in line with initiatives taken by other federal regulators, like the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which have been vigorously promoting whistleblower participation. For example, the SEC imposed a fine on a company in 2024 for utilizing NDAs that reportedly hindered whistleblower activities. In light of this precedent, employers subject to regulation should reassess their employment and separation agreements to ensure they do not unintentionally restrict employees’ involvement in whistleblower programs. Additionally, the outcome of the forthcoming presidential election may impact the future landscape of federal whistleblower initiatives, potentially reshaping enforcement priorities and strategies.