President Donald Trump said he would choose who receives rewards in a new U.S. fraud tip program, while DOJ rules give the department sole discretion over awards.
At the Oct. 20 White House announcement, Trump said he would determine who deserved a payment, including when several people claimed the same reward. “I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions,” he said. The DOJ’s published terms say department personnel evaluate claims and the department issues award determinations; they describe no presidential role in resolving claims.
The pilot may pay $10,000 to $30,000 for a qualifying tip that results in criminal charges. A conviction is not needed, but payment is discretionary even when the criteria are met. Multiple people may receive an award in one case if each independently qualifies. EconoTimes previously set out the pilot’s award rules and eligibility. The department says the early payments are intended to encourage reporting before cases reach a final outcome, while many other government whistleblower programs pay only after resolution. Participants may also remain eligible for awards under other government programs.
Trump also floated a 1% payment based on fraud identified through a tip. How, or whether, that figure would fit this pilot is unverified: the written rules describe set award amounts and do not explain a percentage calculation.
The DOJ announced the initiative Oct. 20 and said the Treasury Department had committed $25 million to put it in place. It covers selected federal health care offenses and fraud involving government benefits and other programs. Priority areas include hospice, home health care, day care and special services. The pilot is intended to run for three years initially.
The DOJ can reject an award. Its determination cannot be appealed or reviewed by a court under the program’s rules.
