What is Whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the act of reporting or revealing wrongdoing or illicit activity. Whistleblowing can take many forms, including providing information to the authorities, as well as revealing illicit activity to the general public. Whistleblowing does not always involve illegal activity and can sometimes involve disclosing actions which are considered unethical or immoral.

Am I Protected From Retaliation When I Blow the Whistle on Corporate Crime?

 There are numerous laws that protect individuals in the U.S. who wish to whistleblow.  However, these laws are complex and whether they will offer protection to you depends on what you report, when you report, how you report and who you report to. If you have any concerns about something you have witnessed in your workplace or elsewhere we suggest that you speak with an attorney before taking any action. Reporting to the wrong person or entity could affect your rights and protections as a whistleblower.

What is a Whistleblower Award?

A whistleblower award is a payment you can receive from the U.S. government for providing information on companies who commit fraud, bribery or tax evasion.  In 2012 the U.S. government started rewarding brave individuals (often called whistleblowers) for providing information on corporate crime and so far has paid out over $2 billion dollars.  

We specialize in representing whistleblowers with information on FCPAcryptoSEC and IRS violations.

Can I Report Violations Anonymously?

Yes.  Most whistleblowers can report anonymously and their names will not be revealed even when they are paid their award.  

Why Should I Report or Become A Whistleblower?

We recommend that anyone who believes in corporate accountability, fighting corruption or preventing fraud should report violations they have witnessed. We believe that awards should be viewed as a secondary benefit of the whistleblower programs, with the primary benefit being that the conduct you report will hopefully be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  If you are solely motivated to become a whistleblower by the prospect of receiving an award, our firm may not be a good fit for you. We endeavor to obtain the maximum award possible for all of our clients, but prefer to partner with clients who have a passion for justice and, like us, view the prospect of an award as a secondary benefit to helping in the fight against corruption, fraud and injustice.

Can I Report As Part of A Group?

Yes.  The SEC has provided awards to joint whistleblowers.

How do I know if I qualify for a whistleblower award?

 The quickest and easiest way is to take our patented online evaluation.  We use an AI algorithm to gather information about your claim and determine whether you meet certain legal requirements to qualify.  The evaluation is quicksimple and can be taken for free:   

Do I need a lawyer?

The U.S. government does not require you to use a lawyer when providing information.

However,  if you don’t submit your claim correctly you may lose your entitlement to your award.  Using a qualified and experienced law firm like FTI Law to help with your application can provides a number of benefits:

 

  •  Using an attorney can help ensure that your claim gets noticed and investigated. The Office of the Whistleblower receives a lot of information and it doesn’t have the resources to investigate every claim;
  • Using an attorney also ensures that you can maximize the award by making the strongest possible case;
  • If you don’t use an attorney, you cannot submit information anonymously.  However, using an attorney allows you to do this;
  • An attorney will take care of the legal procedures including making sure you meet submission deadlines.  It also provides you with an advocate in the United States who can speak on your behalf 
  • Our online evaluation and consultation process are provided free of charge.  If you do wish to engage us we work on contingency meaning we only get paid, if you get paid

 

FTI Law has years of experience representing individuals and investigating bribery and corruption around the globe.  We can quickly provide advice on how to maximize your claim and make sure you submit your claim before someone beats you to it.  The first step is to take the online evaluation:

What does it cost?

We are committed to transparency which is why we are happy to provide our price list:  

1.  Taking Our Patented Online Whistleblower Award Evaluation:  Free 

2. Initial consultation with an experienced and specialized attorney:  Free

3.  If you choose to partner with FTI Law and receive an award we take a portion.  And if you do not receive an award, our services are completely Free.  If you have any questions feel free to contact us as we are always happy to speak. 

Can Compliance and Audit Employees Qualify?

Yes. The SEC has paid awards to compliance and audit personnel. However, there are special rules that apply if you work in either of these categories and it is critical that you speak to an attorney before you submit information to the SEC. 

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