Thinking of Blowing the Whistle? Here Are a Few Incentives

Recognizing the risks whistleblowers take in coming forward and the resulting stress, Congress established a reward system which allows them to receive a portion of the government’s recovery. Eligibility for an award differs with each program.  Below is the reward system under the various whistleblower programs.

FEDERAL FALSE CLAIMS ACT

​Whistleblowers are generally entitled to between 15 percent to 30 percent of the government’s recovery under the FCA. Under the FCA, the minimum and maximum award is dictated on whether the government intervenes in the case. If so, the whistleblower is generally entitled to no less than 15 percent and no greater than 30 percent of the government’s recovery. If the government declines intervention, the whistleblower is entitled to no less than 25 percent and no more than 30 of the recovery by the government. 

SEC WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM

​The whistleblower is not entitled to a reward unless the SEC recovers more the $1 million.  If the SEC recovers more than $1 million as a result of original information properly submitted by a whistleblower, the whistleblower is generally entitled to no less than 10 percent and no more than 30 percent of the recovery. If there are additional recoveries in certain related actions, such as a civil or criminal proceeding brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, the whistleblower may be entitled to a percentage of such recoveries, as well. The amount of a whistleblower’s award under the SEC Whistleblower Program depends on a variety of factors, including the significance of the whistleblower’s information, the degree of the whistleblower’s assistance, and the SEC’s interest in deterring future misconduct and encouraging whistleblowers to come forward.

THE CFTC WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM

Like the SEC program, if the CFTC recovers more than $ 1 million as a result of original information properly submitted by a whistleblower, the whistleblower is entitled to between 10 percent and 30 percent of the recovery. Whistleblowers may also be entitled to a percentage of the recoveries made in certain related actions, for example as the U.S. DOJ civil or criminal proceedings. The criteria for setting the award are similar to that in the SEC Whistleblower Program, and includes the significance of the whistleblower’s information, the degree of the whistleblower’s assistance, and the CFTC’s program goals of deterring future wrongdoing and encouraging whistleblower’s to come forward. 

THE IRS WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM

​Under the IRS Whistleblower Program, if a whistleblower reports underpayment of taxes that exceeds $2 million, including penalties and interest, and meets the other program requirements, the whistleblower is entitled to between 15 percent to 30 percent of the amount the IRS recovers based on that information. If the case deals with an individual, the individual’s annual gross income must exceed $200,000 for the whistleblower to be eligible for an award.

FIRREA/FIAFEA WHISTLEBLOWER ACTIONS

​Under FIAFEA’s whistleblower provisions, if the United States recovers under FIRREA based on original information brought by the whistleblower, the whistleblower is entitled to 20 percent to 30 percent of the first $1,000,000 recovered, 10 percent to 20 percent of the next $4,000,000 recovered, and 5 percent to 10 percent of the next $5,000,000 recovered, for a total potential recovery of $1.6 million.

Final Word

​If you have knowledge of fraud against or by the federal government, contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Miles.  The consultation is free and confidential.

Timothy L. Miles, Esq. 

Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recentely selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019).