The U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division has launched a new Whistleblower Rewards Program, joining the ranks of other federal whistleblower initiatives like those at the SEC, CFTC, IRS, and last year’s new DOJ Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program. The new antitrust program is designed to encourage individuals to report criminal antitrust violations that harm consumers, taxpayers, and fair market competition.
Whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original information that leads to criminal fines or recoveries of at least $1 million may be eligible for rewards ranging from 15% to 30% of the total recovery. While the program does not create new protections against retaliation, whistleblowers who report violations of law may be protected under existing federal and state prohibitions on retaliation. The DOJ’s new program, like other successful programs, emphasizes confidentiality.
The program targets criminal antitrust offenses such as price fixing, bid rigging, market allocation, and related fraud or collusion in government procurement. For example, this could include suppliers secretly agreeing to inflate prices for medical equipment sold to hospitals, or contractors colluding to rig bids on government infrastructure projects.
If you suspect antitrust violations in your industry or workplace, consult with an experienced attorney to understand your rights and options. Whistleblowing can be a powerful tool for justice—and now, reporting your antitrust concerns can also come with meaningful financial rewards.
