Robert G. Wilson
Robert has investigated and prosecuted federal securities violations committed by some of the largest corporate and financial institutions in the world at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and has represented high-profile whistleblowers in private practice.
Robert has investigated and prosecuted federal securities violations committed by some of the largest corporate and financial institutions in the world at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and has represented high-profile whistleblowers in private practice.
Robert Wilson is a former senior Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement official whose career spans more than two decades investigating and prosecuting federal securities law violations by some of the world’s largest corporate and financial institutions. With extensive experience across every phase of the enforcement process — from initiating investigations through trial and settlement — Bob brings unparalleled insight into representing SEC whistleblowers and others seeking accountability in complex securities matters.
During 25 years with the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, Bob held multiple leadership roles, including Deputy Assistant Director and Branch Chief. In those positions, he selected and planned enforcement actions, supervised investigative teams, negotiated settlements, and litigated cases in federal court. He successfully prosecuted and oversaw scores of high-impact matters involving corporate accounting fraud, auditor misconduct, foreign bribery, broker-dealer and investment adviser fraud, and insider trading.
Bob played a central role in some of the SEC’s most significant enforcement actions, including landmark Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases such as SEC v. Halliburton Co. and KBR, Inc.; SEC v. Albert J. Stanley; SEC v. Technip; SEC v. ENI S.p.A. and Snamprogetti Netherlands, B.V. — the largest set of related FCPA actions ever brought by the commission. Those matters resulted in approximately $400 million in disgorgement paid to the SEC, and more than $1.2 billion in criminal fines and restitution. Bob also led other parallel investigations with the U.S. Department of Justice, including SEC v. Sean Healy, involving a $20 million Ponzi scheme that resulted in a 15-year criminal sentence.
Before joining the SEC, Bob served at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, enforcing U.S. trade laws and agreements, and spent five years as a Revenue Officer with the Internal Revenue Service. After leaving the SEC, he founded Pelican Partners LLC, a legal and financial consulting firm, and co-founded the first law firm exclusively dedicated to representing SEC whistleblowers.
Bob’s work has earned him significant recognition, including being named a Securities Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation and receiving the SEC’s Chairman’s Award for Excellence.
