In an effort to fight fraud and prevent individuals or organizations from taking advantage of the federal government, Congress has enacted a variety of whistleblower programs. When a whistleblower provides useful information to the government regarding instances of fraud, they could recover a monetary award for their good deed.
A seasoned whistleblower attorney could provide important insight into successfully pursuing these claims. This could involve advising you on the law and providing guidance on the best way to protect your privacy. Let an attorney help you understand the intricacies of whistleblowing in Charleston.
The reward for filing a whistleblower claim in Charleston can differ from one type of report to the next. Different federal statutes apply to different types of whistleblowing. That said, the reward for whistleblowing typically comprises a percentage of any money the government is able to recover based on the information a whistleblower provides.
Before a person can recover a monetary award from the federal government by providing a tip related to wrongdoing, they must meet some minimum requirements. A whistleblower must provide new information to the government, meaning that no one has yet reported this tip and the government is not aware of it.
Reports to the government must also be voluntary in order to qualify for incentives. That means a person must report their information to the authorities freely instead of being compelled. For example, a person that has been served with a subpoena to provide documentation to the government is not entitled to whistleblower benefits when they comply with the subpoena.
There are different ways a whistleblower could protect themselves during the process. For good reasons, many people who raise the alarm on illicit activities would prefer to avoid attention or retaliation. In a few situations, it could be possible to pursue a whistleblower claim while maintaining anonymity.
Even when anonymity is not possible, a whistleblower and their attorney could protect their privacy in different ways. In some situations where the court finds a good reason, it is possible to file a whistleblower claim under seal. That means the records related to the claim remain sealed to the public, and are only accessible to government prosecutors and the court.
There are times when retaliation inevitably results from a whistleblower claim. The good news is that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation under federal law. The law also allows a whistleblower to pursue a civil case against an employer that is unlawfully retaliating against them based on their cooperation with the government.
There are several important ways an attorney could assist with the whistleblower process. This begins with allowing a legal professional to evaluate the underlying allegations. Many whistleblower programs only provide incentives when the amount recovered by the government is large. An attorney could advise a prospective whistleblower on whether or not their tip is likely to qualify.
In some situations, professional guidance could be vital. When it comes to seeking anonymity during a Dodd-Frank Act claim, legal representation is necessary. There is no avenue to pursue anonymity without legal counsel in these cases.
If you are considering a whistleblower claim, now is the time to speak with an attorney. A lawyer could help you understand the issues that you might face and assist you with protecting your privacy. You do not have to pursue the process of filing a whistleblower claim in Charleston on your own. Contact an attorney to learn more about your options.
