Discovering misconduct or illegal activity puts you in a difficult position, and you may wonder if you should report it and what happens if you do. Fortunately, there are tangible incentives reserved for credible whistleblowers who assist in investigations. Understanding Columbia whistleblowing incentives might give you the motivation to make a report and cooperate with authorities for potential benefits. Consulting with a seasoned whistleblower attorney could help you understand your protections and possible rewards. The Law Offices of Bill Nettles brings a team with decades of prosecutorial experience and white collar criminal practice to your case.
Becoming a whistleblower involves personal and professional risk as well as significant time and effort. Additionally, the prospect of reporting an employer or business associate is intimidating. Many people do not realize that to help whistleblowers in Columbia face these potential consequences and follow their conscience, monetary incentives are often available.
Under the False Claims Act, for example, whistleblowers could receive 15%–25% of the government’s recovery in fraud cases. Similarly, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission offer programs that provide awards to individuals who deliver credible information and assist in federal investigations. The specific reward amount and which agency oversees the case depend on the circumstances, and an attorney could determine which state or federal agency is in charge, tell you what to expect, and help you communicate with them properly.
These financial incentives are typically only available to voluntary whistleblowers, not to persons under investigation who cooperate in return for leniency by a prosecuting agency. So you must act quickly. If someone else discovers the misconduct first, an observer may lose the opportunity to report it and qualify for rewards.
Retaliation against an employee for reporting misconduct or illegal activity is illegal under certain state and federal laws. Under multiple South Carolina state laws, private employees who face firing or demotion due to whistleblowing have the right to sue their employer. Several federal statutes provide similar protections, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Dodd-Frank Act. Public employees may also file suit if retaliated against under the South Carolina Whistleblower Protection Act.
An attorney could help you better understand the incentives and protections for a Columbia whistleblower and assist you with bringing a report or complaint to the government. Bill Nettles brings the insight of a former U.S. Attorney of South Carolina to your case—backed by a team of lawyers, including partners Fran Trapp and John Delgado, with decades of experience in whistleblower law.
Understanding Columbia whistleblowing incentives should not be a barrier to doing the right thing. Although whistleblowing is a complex and risky process, an experienced legal team could safely guide you from start to finish. Without the advice of a lawyer, you could miss out on a monetary reward and face retaliation without a means to protect yourself. Contact the Law Offices of Bill Nettles to set up a consultation today.
