DOJ Antitrust Division Announces Creation Of First-Ever Whistleblower Rewards Program

Key Takeaways

• The DOJ Antitrust Division announced the creation of a new whistleblower program, marking the first time the Antitrust Division has formed a program to provide monetary rewards to individuals who assist in antitrust crime prosecutions.
• While the program will be operated by both the Antitrust Division and the U.S. Postal Service, rewards will be paid out by the U.S. Postal Service.
• The new whistleblower program could pay whistleblowers up to 30 percent of any criminal fines recovered.
• Companies should review their compliance policies and procedures and ensure that they are aligned with and consider the Antitrust Division's new whistleblower program because the whistleblower program could affect companies' options if they are part of a future criminal antitrust investigation.