The Department of Justice’s Criminal Division launched an exciting new Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program. Under this pilot initiative, whistleblowers who provides the government with original information about financial crimes, domestic or foreign corruption, or health care fraud involving private insurance companies may be eligible to for an award.
The Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program
[T]hese tips from whistleblowers won’t just help us build the strongest criminal cases against the most culpable wrongdoers; they’ll also help us impose the most significant penalties on those who most deserve it.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco
The new DOJ whistleblower program focuses on four major enforcement areas:
- Violations by financial institutions, their insiders, or agents;
- Violations related to foreign corruption and bribery;
- Violations committed by or through companies related to the payment of bribes or kickbacks to domestic public officials; and
- Federal health care law violations that are not covered by the Federal False Claims Act.
Whistleblower Lawyers and Advocates Welcome the DOJ Whistleblower Program
WLC looks forward to working with the government and clients with this new program because it offers new paths for whistleblowers. WLC partner Bruce Judge — an experienced federal criminal prosecutor — noted that this new DOJ whistleblower program will enable the Department’s Criminal Division to benefit significantly from the knowledge of whistleblowers.
Whistleblowers now have a clear avenue to report foreign corruption and bribery schemes, various financial fraud, and health care fraud involving private payers. This will, no doubt, enhance enforcement opportunities in these areas.
Bruce C. Judge, WLC Member
The Anti-Fraud Coalition’s CEO Jaclyn DeMar laid out the details of the DOJ whistleblower program in a useful blog post. In addition, while TAF is “encouraged” by the launch of the DOJ whistleblower program, more work is needed to ensure it reaches its full potential.
Whistleblower Law Collaborative, LLC
Whistleblower Law Collaborative LLC devotes its practice entirely to representing clients nationwide in bringing whistleblower actions. Our clients bring actions under the federal and state false claims acts, and other whistleblower programs including those addressing financial fraud. If you are considering becoming a whistleblower or are aware of other types of fraud, contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
