In an article published in Law360 on January 16, 2025, Veronica Nannis and Viriginia Grimm discuss the Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program, which was announced five months ago by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
The attorneys discuss the details of the program, which were developed to fill gaps that exist with existing initiatives such as the DOJ’s qui tam program and other agency whistleblower programs. Under the new pilot program, a whistleblower who provides information about corporate misconduct may be eligible for an award.
Nannis and Grimm highlight early returns of the program, including statements that 250 tips were reported in the first few months. However, they note other more established programs, such as the SEC’s Whistleblower Program, received approximately 24,980 tips in 2024.
While the program has been successful to some, others have been more critical, Nannis and Grimm write. The program lacks many of the important aspects of other established programs and has holes that could “disincentivize” potential whistleblowers from coming forward.
They conclude with a discussion of the fate of the program under the new presidential administration.
“The program could be in peril if it were to become politicized,” Nannis and Grime explain. “Advocates and interested parties on all sides would be wise to keep an eye on this program and any developments, especially as the new administration takes over.”
Read the article “Examining DOJ Corporate Whistleblower Pilot’s First 100 Days” on the Law360 website (subscription required).
