Trump announces $25 million fraud whistleblower program amid questions over payouts
publishers 56articles 64first reported 20 Oct, 10:01 UTCdeveloping since 20 Oct · 10 editionstop 25 #12
President Donald Trump announced a $25 million federal whistleblower incentive program Tuesday offering payments for tips about fraud against the U.S. government.
Trump, appearing with Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office, said tipsters could receive 1% of the fraud they uncover and suggested there would be no limit on compensation. He also said he would personally arbitrate disputes over who deserves payment.
Official descriptions differ from those remarks. The program’s website says rewards are capped at $30,000 and depend on information contributing to criminal charges, while the Justice Department says it has sole discretion over awards. Reports submitted through America.gov/fraud are encrypted and sent to the Treasury Department, CBS News reported, with the Justice Department administering the program.
Vance, who leads the White House fraud task force, said the initiative is intended to cover alleged government fraud that falls outside the False Claims Act and to provide rewards earlier in an investigation. The False Claims Act already allows some whistleblowers to receive a share of money recovered through successful cases.
Conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley, who publicized allegations involving Somali-run childcare centers in Minnesota, appeared at the announcement and received a $10,000 check as the program’s first recipient. It was unclear whether Trump’s statement about personally deciding awards reflected a formal role or an offhand remark.
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