Coming forward as a whistleblower requires great strength and courage. This is because of the lack of anonymity involved in a complaint that seeks out a reward under many of the federal whistleblower statutes. Especially when a case becomes public knowledge as a product of a criminal complaint, the names of witnesses and whistleblowers become public information. Fortunately, it can still be possible to serve as a whistleblower while remaining anonymous.
Working with a lawyer could help you retain anonymity in South Carolina whistleblower cases. A skilled whistleblower attorney could work with you to evaluate your options during the time when you are filing a complaint and to submit information to the relevant agencies without revealing your name, if possible. This could even include seeking out a reward.
People who are thinking about serving as a whistleblower are right to keep their own safety and financial stability in mind. In many situations, a person is considering blowing the whistle on an employer or other influential entity. Although retaliation against someone for blowing the whistle is illegal, this does not stop companies from being creative in justifying a termination or other punishments.
Thankfully, many examples of federal whistleblower laws have specific provisions that allow for anonymous parties to come forward. Especially relevant are the Commodities Futures Trading Commission and the SEC that gain their powers through the Dodd-Frank Act. §240.21F-2 states that a whistleblower may submit a complaint anonymously as long as they have the help of an attorney. An attorney could help individuals submit satisfactory complaints that request anonymity in South Carolina whistleblower cases.
However, it must be noted that not every whistleblower statute allows for anonymous submission. Talking with a lawyer could help someone determine if it will be possible to protect one’s identity moving forward.
A major motivating factor for many people seeking to become whistleblowers is the potential monetary reward that may result from serving in the role. It is indeed possible to receive these rewards while remaining anonymous. This usually requires the aid of a lawyer by federal law. As a result, if an attorney is able to submit a South Carolina whistleblower complaint anonymously, it is also possible to request a reward through a writ of Qui Tam.
As a way to encourage people to come forward, the federal agencies that handle whistleblower complaints will take any possible step to keep the identities of whistleblowers a secret. However, situations do arise where a person’s name must become a matter of public knowledge. This is usually the product of a person being a witness in a criminal case. If this happens, an attorney could help to protect whistleblowers’ futures and shield them against possible retaliation or unwanted attention.
Many federal whistleblower statutes allow people to provide information to the government anonymously. This can protect them in the workplace and in their home lives. In some situations, it can even be possible to secure a reward while remaining anonymous. This will require the help of an attorney.
Sadly, anonymity is not available in every whistleblower’s case. Depending upon the statute under which you come forward, you may need to disclose your identity. In other cases, your name may become public during a criminal trial. An attorney could help address your concerns about anonymity in South Carolina whistleblower cases. Call to learn more.