The Justice Department will pay up to $30,000 for fraud tips leading to charges. Trump announced it Tuesday.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced a $25 million program Tuesday that will pay members of the public for tips leading to federal fraud charges. The Justice Department said the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, or WHIP, is the first whistleblower program to pay an up-front award for tips that lead to criminal charges. The Treasury Department has committed $25 million to fund it.
Under the program, whistleblowers will receive $10,000 to $30,000 for information that leads to charges in covered areas. The Justice Department said most existing programs pay only after a criminal case is fully resolved. Participants stay eligible for larger awards if a tip later produces major penalties or forfeiture. Covered areas include federal health care offenses and fraud against programs run by the Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Veterans Affairs and War departments and the Small Business Administration. Hospice, home health, day care and special services fraud will be prioritized. The department said awards are made at its sole discretion after charges are filed.
At the Oval Office event, Trump said he would be the final arbiter if more than one person claimed credit for a tip. He said the payments would work out to a 1% commission and that journalists can take part, according to the Associated Press. The Justice Department’s announcement does not mention a percentage. The White House said tips go through fraud.gov. Trump also presented a $10,000 check to Nick Shirley, a conservative influencer. Shirley posted a video last year alleging fake child care centers in Minnesota’s Somali community. The AP reported that inspectors found the centers operating as expected, though investigations, searches and arrests followed.
Trump created a task force on fraud in March and put Vance in charge. The Justice Department created its Fraud Division in April. The announcement comes two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, as Republicans campaign to keep control of Congress, according to The Hill.
Aurax News compiled this report from information provided by the U.S. Justice Department, the Associated Press, The Hill and NewsNation.