DOJ and Postal Service Launch Groundbreaking Whistleblower Program for Antitrust Violations

Breakthrough Antitrust Whistleblower Award Program

On July 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a pioneering whistleblower award program designed to motivate insiders to report criminal antitrust violations. This innovative initiative is a significant stride in enhancing whistleblower protections, addressing previous gaps where insiders faced retaliation without any prospect of financial compensation for their bravery.

Stephen M. Kohn, an attorney specializing in whistleblower cases and a key figure at the National Whistleblower Center, praised this move as a vital step towards safeguarding consumers against illegal practices like price-fixing and antitrust violations. He noted the potential of the program to encourage whistleblowers to disclose illicit activities while risking their careers to uphold integrity and accountability in corporate conduct.

Despite the absence of a comprehensive antitrust whistleblower law from Congress, the DOJ and Postal Service’s program lays out an effective framework for incentivizing whistleblowers. This initiative is akin to other successful whistleblower legislation, such as the False Claims Act and Dodd-Frank, which have proven effective in fostering a culture of reporting on corporate misdeeds.

The newly established program is designed to award qualified whistleblowers between 15% and 30% of monetary sanctions imposed on corporations found guilty of antitrust violations that exceed $1 million. This financial incentive aims to reassure potential whistleblowers that their contributions to maintaining corporate oversight can yield not just justice but also personal reward.

However, it's notable that while the program assigns discretion to the DOJ to approve or deny awards without judicial review, there are hopes that the administration will diligently and fairly manage this new initiative. Kohn emphasized that congressional action remains essential to institute a formally enforceable whistleblower law specifically targeting antitrust issues, paralleling protections already in place for tax fraud and securities violations.

As discussions continue regarding the future of corporate accountability, this whistleblower program signifies a positive shift in how the U.S. legal system addresses antitrust concerns, reinforcing the critical role of whistleblowers in uncovering corporate wrongdoing. By empowering individuals with the courage to report, the DOJ and Postal Service have set a precedent that could reshape the landscape of corporate governance and consumer rights in the U.S.

In conclusion, the advent of this whistleblower program marks a momentous occasion in the ongoing battle against antitrust violations, and its success may depend significantly on the engagement and protection of those willing to come forward. As Kohn illustrates, “Whistleblowers take enormous risks — and often sacrifice their careers. This program aids them in doing what is right, thereby protecting the market and consumers from abuse.”

For further details, interested individuals can access the DOJ/Postal Service Memorandum that officially establishes the Antitrust Whistleblower Program here.