Trump Offers to Arbitrate $30,000 DoJ Whistleblower Rewards as Rules Give Department Sole Discretion
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Oct 20
Trump Offers to Arbitrate $30,000 DoJ Whistleblower Rewards as Rules Give Department Sole Discretion
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Oct 20
Summary
Trump said he would personally decide disputed payouts in the Justice Department’s new anti-fraud whistleblower program, including whether competing tipsters should split an award.
The offer clashes with the department’s published rules, which say it has “sole discretion” over rewards under the program.
DoJ says the scheme pays up to $30,000 for tips at the charging stage of a criminal case, though Trump also suggested whistleblowers could get 1% of uncovered fraud and make “millions and millions.”
Vance said the program targets fraud beyond the False Claims Act, arguing more than 99% of federal-government fraud now being found is not covered and that earlier rewards should draw more tipsters.
The initiative was launched hours after Trump and Vance unveiled a $25 million fraud whistleblower program as part of the administration’s broader anti-fraud push.