In a move aimed at bolstering its arsenal against corporate misconduct, the U.S. Justice Department announced plans to enhance its whistleblower program, offering lucrative rewards to individuals who step forward with information on significant wrongdoing within corporations. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco unveiled the expansion during a conference of legal professionals, outlining the Department’s strategy to incentivize disclosures that could lead to substantial forfeitures.
Under the proposed program, whistleblowers stand to gain a portion of the assets recovered as a result of their revelations. Monaco emphasized the Department’s interest in uncovering criminal abuses within the U.S. financial system, as well as cases of both foreign and domestic corruption, particularly those involving illicit payments to government officials.
While acknowledging existing whistleblower initiatives by agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Monaco stressed the broader scope and jurisdictional reach of the Justice Department’s forthcoming program. This initiative forms part of a broader policy shift under the Biden administration, which aims to increase accountability for corporate wrongdoing and impose harsh penalties on repeat offenders.
In addition to monetary rewards, the Department is exploring alternative approaches to enforcement, including non-prosecution agreements for wrongdoers who come forward voluntarily and cooperate with authorities. Monaco underscored the Department’s commitment to combatting emerging threats, such as the misuse of artificial intelligence to facilitate illegal activities.
As the Department gears up to launch these initiatives, its message is clear: whether employing traditional investigative techniques or adapting to evolving technological landscapes, it remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the rule of law.
With contributions from reporters Chris Prentice and Karen Freifeld in San Francisco, and additional reporting by Luc Cohen, the Justice Department’s efforts signal a proactive stance against corporate malfeasance, underlining its commitment to justice and accountability.
