Whistleblower Question of the Week: How Are Whistleblowers Protected After Deciding to Speak Out?
By the Constantine Cannon Whistleblower Team
Whistleblowers often take risks when they step forward. That is why Congress and federal agencies have built protections through a combination of laws, regulations, and policies designed to prevent retaliation, preserve confidentiality, and make it possible for individuals to report wrongdoing safely. While our firm does not typically handle standalone whistleblower employment or retaliation matters, those cases sometimes include issues that also fall under one of the many whistleblower reward programs.
Our team has extensive experience representing clients under the False Claims Act, the SEC Whistleblower Program, the CFTC Whistleblower Program, the FinCEN Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Whistleblower Program, the IRS Whistleblower Program, state statutes, and many more.
Protecting Whistleblowers’ Confidentiality
When a whistleblower decides to report fraud or misconduct, confidentiality is often the first layer of protection. Whistleblower lawyers help prepare and file whistleblower cases and submissions with the appropriate courts or government agencies that oversee each whistleblower program. This is often done confidentially, particularly under the False Claims Act, where cases are filed under seal.
Many agency programs allow whistleblowers to file anonymously through counsel, allowing whistleblowers to report misconduct without risking public exposure.
The U.S. Whistleblower Protection Act
Statutes such as the U.S. Whistleblower Protection Act protects federal employees who report wrongdoing from retaliation by their government agency employers.
Intelligence and national security employees operate under a different framework due to the limits on the disclosure of classified information. However, they do have whistleblower protections under laws like the FBI Whistleblower Protection Act, the Inspector General Act, the Privacy Act, the First Amendment, and anti-discrimination laws such as the Civil Rights Act and Title VII.
These legal frameworks set the foundation for protecting individuals who choose to expose issues concerning the public interest. For more about whistleblower laws in key industries, click here.
Whistleblower Programs and Financial Rewards
Many whistleblower programs provide financial rewards to encourage individuals to come forward. Read more about the types of whistleblowing here.
Under whistleblower programs, whistleblowers may be eligible to receive a share of up to 30% of any monetary recovery. To learn more about how financial rewards work for whistleblowers, read our post here.
Our Firm Helps Whistleblowers
According to Constantine Cannon attorney Ginger Buck, “Speaking out about wrongdoing takes courage, and meaningful protections ensure whistleblowers can do so safely.”
We have substantial experience representing whistleblowers. Please contact us if you believe you have a case. We will connect you with an experienced member of the Constantine Cannon whistleblower team for a free and confidential consultation.
Speak Confidentially With Our Whistleblower Attorneys
Tagged in: Importance of Whistleblowers,