On January 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an award of $1 million paid to a whistleblower for information that led to the prosecution of antitrust violations and fraud in automobile auctions under its newest monetary program—the Antitrust Whistleblower Award Program, launched in July 2025 and largely modeled on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Whistleblower Program. This article highlights the facts of the case and provides key takeaways for employers.

Quick Hits

• On January 29, 2026, less than six months after the DOJ launched its Antitrust Whistleblower Award Program, the department awarded $1 million to a whistleblower for information leading to the prosecution of antitrust violations and fraud in automobile auctions.
• The SEC’s whistleblower program, which has issued over $1 billion in awards since 2011, has significantly increased whistleblower activity and enforcement under anti-retaliation laws.
• Companies may want to ensure compliance with DOJ guidelines, foster robust compliance cultures, conduct prompt and thorough whistleblower investigations, and maintain clear anti-retaliation policies to mitigate risks.

For more than a decade, the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower at the Securities and Exchange Commission has led to a wave of so-called “bounty programs” that provide monetary rewards to whistleblowers who provide information to enforcement agencies that results in substantial recoveries or fines. The SEC’s whistleblower...

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