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New York, NY(212) 365-4875
Clemenza Concierge

Reporting fraud and whistleblower rewards · whistleblower law

You know something is wrong, and you're deciding what to do

It started with a billing code that didn't match the visit. Or numbers in a quarterly report that didn't match what you saw on the floor. Or a way of keeping income off the books that everyone around you seemed to accept. You've probably turned it over for weeks, wondering whether to say something, and what it could cost you.

Several federal programs, and some state laws, pay rewards to people who report certain kinds of fraud, and a number of laws protect employees who do. Each has its own rules, and some reward the first person to come forward. Tell us the outline, not the details, and a lawyer at our firm will look at your case.

Tell us what happened

This may be for you if

  • I know a company is billing the government for work it didn't do, or for care nobody received.
  • I've seen fraud involving government contracts, grants or programs such as Medicare or Medicaid.
  • I know about accounting fraud or misleading statements at a public company.
  • I know about fraud in commodities or futures trading.
  • I know a business or a wealthy person is hiding a large amount of income from the IRS.
  • I reported fraud, and I was fired, demoted or pushed out because of it.

What we do, and what we do not

We do

  • A lawyer at our firm looks at your case and at which reward program or law, if any, fits what you know, before you take a step you can't take back.
  • When another firm is better placed to lead your case day to day, such as one that brings whistleblower cases under the program that fits yours, we choose that firm for you, from firms we have vetted for their expertise and track record, and we stay responsible for your case with them.

We do not

  • We don't promise a reward. Whether one is paid depends on the case, what the government decides, and what is actually collected.
  • We don't want confidential documents through our website. A short outline and a safe way to reach you is enough.

Two firms on your side, for the cost of one

When another firm leads your case, you have two law firms on your side, and it costs you no more than one firm would. The firm leading it day to day is one that brings whistleblower cases under the program that fits yours, and it's your first call for questions about the case. Our firm stays responsible for your case with them for as long as it lasts: we check in often, keep our own calendar of its deadlines, and we're who you write to if something doesn't feel right.

You decide whether to go ahead, and nothing happens until you say yes.

How it works, step by stepHow fees work, and how they are shared

Problems we often hear about

  • Whistleblower rewards

    You know about fraud against the government, investors or the tax system, and want to understand your options first.

  • Punished for reporting fraud

    Fired, demoted or pushed out after you reported fraud, or refused to take part in it.

What helps to have ready

  • A safe personal email or phone that your employer doesn't control.
  • The name of the company or organization involved.
  • A short private note, kept to yourself for now, of what you saw and when.
  • A list, not copies, of documents you already have lawful access to.
  • If you've been punished for speaking up: what happened, and when.

Questions people ask

Can I stay anonymous?

Sometimes. The SEC and CFTC programs let you report without giving your name, but to claim a reward that way you must be represented by a lawyer. A False Claims Act case is brought in your name, though it's filed under seal, meaning it stays secret at first while the government investigates.

Should I take documents to prove it?

Not without advice first. Don't take, copy or forward anything you aren't authorized to access: taking the wrong material can expose you to legal risk and hurt your case. Tell the lawyer what exists instead.

Can my employer punish me for reporting?

Several federal laws, and some state laws, forbid employers from firing, demoting or otherwise punishing employees for reporting fraud, and several make an employer who loses pay the employee's lawyer fees. Some protect you only if you reported to the right government agency, so the order of steps can matter.

What does it cost?

It costs nothing to ask. Lawyers who represent whistleblowers often work on a contingency fee, a share of any reward, rather than billing by the hour. Under the False Claims Act, the company that committed the fraud can also be ordered to pay the whistleblower's lawyer fees.

This page explains things in general terms. It is not legal advice about your situation, and the law differs from state to state.