DOJ Whistleblower Attorney
Our Attorneys Represent Whistleblowers Under the False Claims Act and DOJ Whistleblower Programs
For many people who need to report fraud, gross waste, and other violations of the law to the federal government, doing so involves working with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ handles a wide range of whistleblower cases—including both cases under DOJ whistleblower programs and cases under the False Claims Act filed in federal courts across the country.
If you have (or believe you may have) information about misconduct or wrongdoing that the Justice Department could use to pursue civil or criminal charges, our lawyers can work with the DOJ on your behalf. We are a whistleblower law firm with a team of highly experienced lawyers—including lawyers who spent a decade or more at the DOJ before entering private practice.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Handles a Wide Range of Whistleblower Complaints
When you speak with a whistleblower lawyer at our firm, your lawyer will explain everything you need to know about serving as a DOJ whistleblower. We file whistleblower claims on behalf of current employees, former employees, and other individuals involving allegations including (but not limited to):
Antitrust Violations
The DOJ accepts whistleblower complaints involving all types of antitrust violations, including violations of the Clayton Act, Sherman Act, and the federal antitrust regulations. Companies can violate these laws and regulations in a variety of ways, and whistleblower protections (and potentially whistleblower compensation) are available to individuals who come forward through the appropriate means.
Foreign Corruption
The DOJ also accepts whistleblower complaints involving foreign corruption, including bribery allegations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Many of these cases involve federal contractors operating abroad, but current and former employees can file claims against their employers in a wide range of other circumstances as well.
Government Fraud
A significant portion of the DOJ’s accepted whistleblower cases involve government fraud. This includes fraud under federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, as well as fraud under federal contracts and programs. Anti-Kickback Statute violations fall into this category as well. These are typically False Claims Act cases (see below), and our DOJ whistleblower attorneys have significant experience handling these types of cases for clients.
Corporate Fraud
The DOJ handles corporate fraud cases involving public and private companies in the U.S. and abroad. In many of these cases, the DOJ works with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), various Offices of Inspector General (OIG), and other federal authorities to gather additional evidence once a whistleblower has come forward.
Tax Fraud
The DOJ also handles whistleblower cases involving tax fraud, though in some cases tax fraud taxpayers may need to come forward under the IRS Whistleblower Program instead. We have extensive experience supporting whistleblowers who need to decide where to file their complaints; and, if you have multiple options, we can help you make informed decisions based on the circumstances at hand.
3 Ways to Blow the Whistle with the DOJ
Broadly, there are three ways to blow the whistle with the DOJ. However, each option is available in different circumstances. As your legal counsel, a DOJ whistleblower attorney at our firm will assess your eligibility for each of the following, as applicable:
1. Qui TamCases Under the False Claims Act
Cases involving fraud under government contracts, grants, and programs must generally be filed under the False Claims Act. In these cases, DOJ whistleblowers must file qui tam lawsuits in federal court to disclose their allegations, and then the DOJ will investigate before deciding whether to intervene.
In these cases, whistleblower award eligibility is determined based on whether the government intervenes. If the government intervenes, a qui tam whistleblower is entitled to between 15% and 25% of the government’s recovery in most cases. If the government declines to intervene and a whistleblower continues to pursue False Claims Act litigation independently, the whistleblower is entitled to between 25% and 30% of any funds recovered.
2. DOJ Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program
The DOJ’s Antitrust Division accepts whistleblower complaints involving all statutory and regulatory antitrust violations. The DOJ Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program issued its first reward in 2026—awarding $1 million to a whistleblower who helped the government secure a final settlement of $3.28 million. While this is not nearly as large a financial reward as we have seen in other landmark cases (whistleblower awards have climbed into the hundreds of millions of dollars), it is still noteworthy as it signals the Antitrust Division’s intent to work with whistleblowers going forward.
3. DOJ Corporate Whistleblower Awards Program
The DOJ’s Criminal Division accepts complaints under its Corporate Whistleblower Awards Program. These can be any complaints involving corporate wrongdoing—from financial fraud to foreign corruption. As its name suggests, the Corporate Whistleblower Awards Program also includes provisions for monetary awards when whistleblowers help the DOJ pursue successful enforcement actions.
Why to Choose a DOJ Whistleblower Attorney at Our Law Firm
If you have information to disclose to the DOJ, why should you choose our whistleblower law firm? Here is what you can expect from us:
- We will provide straightforward legal advice focused on your individual circumstances, and under no circumstances will we pressure you to come forward.
- We will keep all information you share with us, including your identity, strictly confidential. We will not share any information with the DOJ unless you authorize us to do so.
- If you decide to blow the whistle, we will work directly with the DOJ on your behalf while continuing to work closely with you behind the scenes throughout the process.
- You will work directly with our senior attorneys throughout your whistleblower case, as we do not employ any junior associates or paralegals.
- We will not charge you any out-of-pocket costs or fees for our legal representation. If you receive a financial reward, our fees will be calculated as a percentage of your reward.
FAQs: Making a Protected Disclosure as a DOJ Whistleblower
Can Federal Employees (Including FBI Employees) Serve as DOJ Whistleblowers?
Federal employees (including FBI employees) can serve as federal whistleblowers in some cases, though whether they need to contact the DOJ or another federal authority depends on the specific circumstances of each individual case. While federal employees generally are not eligible for monetary awards, the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) and Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA) provide strong protections for those who come forward.
Should I File a Complaint with the DOJ or SEC (and Does Your Firm Also Represent SEC Whistleblower Clients)?
In some cases, whistleblowers who are prepared to expose corporate fraud will need to contact the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) instead of the DOJ. The SEC also protects whistleblowers and issues whistleblower awards following successful enforcement actions—and our firm represents SEC whistleblower clients as well. If you have information about corporate fraud, our whistleblower lawyers can advise you regarding your options for coming forward.
How Do I File a Whistleblower Complaint Involving a DOJ Contractor?
Filing a whistleblower complaint involving a DOJ contractor typically involves coming forward under the False Claims Act. If you have information about DOJ contractor fraud, a DOJ whistleblower attorney at our firm can advise you and represent you in coming forward. We have extensive experience handling False Claims Act cases involving federal contractors, and our attorneys can walk you step-by-step through the process.
What Protections Are Afforded to DOJ Whistleblowers?
DOJ whistleblowers are entitled to strict confidentiality. They are also entitled to protection against retaliation in their employment. While the whistleblower confidentiality protections are designed to ensure that employers do not discern whistleblowers’ identities, the anti-retaliation protections are there to ensure that if an employer identifies a whistleblower, it will not be able to take adverse action against the whistleblower based on his or her decision to come forward.
If an employer illegally retaliates against a DOJ whistleblower, the whistleblower has clear legal rights. These include the right to seek damages for their lost earnings, emotional distress, and various other financial and non-financial losses. While we work with the DOJ to protect our clients’ identities, we are also fully prepared to fight for our clients’ rights if necessary.
Are DOJ Whistleblowers Eligible for Monetary Awards?
DOJ whistleblowers can become eligible for monetary awards if they help the Justice Department pursue a successful enforcement action. This enforcement action could be civil or criminal in nature. While the methods of calculating whistleblower awards vary under the False Claims Act and the DOJ’s different whistleblower programs, successful DOJ whistleblowers are generally entitled to between 10% and 30% of the monetary sanctions recovered.
Speak with a Senior DOJ Whistleblower Attorney in Confidence
If you would like to know more about serving as a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) whistleblower, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. Once you do, we will arrange for you to speak with a DOJ whistleblower attorney at our firm in strict confidence as soon as possible. Call 888-680-1745 or contact us online now to arrange a free and confidential consultation.