Whistleblower Scope Expanded: The DOJ now rewards tips on more violations, including immigration and trade, with payouts up to 30% of recoveries.
Individual Focus: The DOJ prioritizes prosecuting individuals, encouraging companies to self-disclose misconduct for leniency.
Enforcement Surge Likely: New whistleblower incentives and the DOJ priorities signal increased investigations, especially in federal programs.
On May 12, 2025, Matthew Galeotti, head of the Department of Justice Criminal Division, issued a memorandum titled “Focus, Fairness, and Efficiency in the Fight against White-Collar Crime,” laying out the Department’s enforcement priorities as they align with the Administration’s agenda. The new enforcement plan reflects longstanding DOJ priorities (including healthcare fraud, market manipulation, and incentivization of voluntary self-disclosure of misconduct) while emphasizing a renewed effort to pursue individual offenders rather than cooperative corporations.
The broader enforcement plan revisions include changes to the Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program (CWAPP). Established under the Biden Administration in August 2024, the CWAPP encourages individuals with knowledge of specific categories of white collar crime to come forward in exchange for financial compensation, provided the information enables the DOJ to recover more than $1 million in civil or criminal forfeiture. The potential awards for whistleblowers are substantial: up to...
In response to accusations from Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the Trump Department of Homeland Security is pushing back against an "absolutely false" media report about a pregnant immi...