Trump Announces $25 Million Fraud Whistleblower Reward Program
publishers 62articles 72first reported 20 Oct, 10:01 UTCdeveloping since 20 Oct · 10 editions
President Donald Trump announced a $25 million federal program Tuesday offering financial rewards for tips about fraud against the government, but his description of the payments differed from published program rules.
Speaking in the Oval Office alongside Vice President JD Vance, Trump said whistleblowers could receive 1% of the fraud they identify, with no limit on compensation and no requirement that criminal charges be filed. He also said he would personally arbitrate disputes over who deserves a reward, including cases in which multiple people submit the same allegation.
The government’s America.gov/fraud website says rewards are capped at $30,000 and depend on a tip contributing to criminal charges. The Justice Department, which is administering the initiative, says it has sole discretion over awards. Reports submitted through the website are encrypted and sent to the Treasury Department, according to CBS News.
The administration presented conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley with a $10,000 check as the program’s first recipient. Shirley drew attention earlier this year for allegations of fraud involving Somali-run childcare centers in Minnesota.
Vance said the initiative is intended to cover alleged government-related fraud that falls outside the existing False Claims Act, which can compensate whistleblowers through a share of money recovered in successful cases. He said more than 99% of fraud being identified by the administration is not covered by that law.
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