Exposing corruption is one of the highest forms of public service. Real whistleblowers, those who come forward at great personal and professional risk to reveal fraud, abuse or misconduct, deserve our gratitude. Their integrity strengthens accountability and helps safeguard taxpayer dollars.

Today, a troubling trend threatens to undermine that noble tradition. A growing class of “professional whistleblowers” has turned the pursuit of justice into a lucrative enterprise. Rather than protecting the public good, some have built careers and fortunes on a system designed for those acting out of conscience, not greed.

Some proudly call themselves “professional whistleblowers.” Over the years, these nefarious actors have filed hundreds of cases under the False Claims Act and other whistleblower statutes, seeking profit instead of corrective change. Some have even published books and given interviews boasting about the millions of dollars they have made from government settlements.

The False Claims Act has undoubtedly done immense good. Created during the Civil War to root out fraud by government contractors, it allows private citizens to file lawsuits on the government’s behalf and share in any recovery. When used responsibly, this law can protect taxpayers and bring bad actors to justice.

When individuals or law firms treat whistleblowing like a business model, filing case after case, hedging bets on settlements, and turning the process into an investment strategy, the result...

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