National Whistleblower Reward Day celebrates individuals who expose fraud and corruption against the government. This day honors the brave whistleblowers who risk their careers to report illegal activities, while raising awareness about the legal protections and financial rewards available to them. Most people don’t realize that the average whistleblower reward exceeds $500,000, which serves as an incentive for more people to come forward.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: February 20
- Tagged as: Awareness, Justice, Accountability
- What’s the hashtag?: #WhistleblowerRewardDay
- When was it founded?: 2018
- Who founded it?: Joel D. Hesch, former Department of Justice Attorney
History of National Whistleblower Reward Day
National Whistleblower Reward Day was established by Joel Hesch to bring awareness to available whistleblower rewards for reporting fraud against the government. Hesch worked in the national whistleblower reward office of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., for 16 years before forming his own firm to exclusively represent whistleblowers filing for rewards under federal and state programs.
The concept of whistleblower protection has deep roots in American history. In 1778, the U.S. Continental Congress passed the first law to support whistleblowers, encouraging individuals to report misconduct by government officials. This marked the beginning of legal protection for whistleblowers in the United States.
The modern system was significantly strengthened in 1986 when Congress amended the False Claims Act to include financial rewards for those who reported fraud against the government. This gave whistleblowers a clear incentive to come forward and help uncover significant fraud and corruption cases.
Timeline
- 1778: Samuel Shaw and Richard Marven become the first whistleblowers protected by law in the United States
- 1986: Congress strengthens the False Claims Act with amendments including financial rewards
- 2018: Joel D. Hesch establishes National Whistleblower Reward Day
- 2022: Growing recognition of the day as awareness spreads about whistleblower programs
Dates by Next Year (2025 to 2030)
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 20 | Thursday |
| 2026 | February 20 | Friday |
| 2027 | February 20 | Saturday |
| 2028 | February 20 | Sunday |
| 2029 | February 20 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 20 | Wednesday |
How National Whistleblower Reward Day is Observed
This day is observed through educational campaigns about whistleblower rights and rewards programs. Law firms specializing in whistleblower cases often host informational webinars, while advocacy organizations promote awareness about the importance of reporting fraud against the government.
Many observers use this day to highlight successful whistleblower cases that have recovered billions of dollars for taxpayers. Some government agencies also participate by sharing information about their whistleblower programs and how citizens can report suspected fraud.
Fun Facts About Whistleblower Rewards
- Fraud costs the U.S. government approximately $350 billion annually, about 10% of all expenditures.
- There are three main whistleblower programs in the U.S. that pay significant monetary rewards.
- To be eligible for a reward, whistleblowers must hire an attorney and file a “qui tam” suit in court.
- The U.S. Department of Justice runs the largest whistleblower reward program under the False Claims Act.
- Whistleblowers can report fraud against more than 20 different agencies or programs, including Medicare, the Military, and Homeland Security.
Quiz
- When is National Whistleblower Reward Day celebrated?
- Who founded National Whistleblower Reward Day?
- What percentage of government spending is estimated to be lost due to fraud?
- What is required to be eligible for a whistleblower reward?
(Answers: 1. February 20; 2. Joel D. Hesch; 3. 10%; 4. Hiring an attorney and filing a “qui tam” suit)
FAQs
What is a whistleblower?
A whistleblower is someone who reports fraud, corruption, or illegal activities within an organization, especially when these activities are against the public interest.
How much can whistleblowers receive as a reward?
Whistleblowers can receive between 15-30% of the funds recovered by the government as a result of their disclosure. The average reward exceeds $500,000.
Are whistleblowers protected from retaliation?
Yes, various laws protect whistleblowers from retaliation by their employers, including the Whistleblower Protection Act and provisions in the False Claims Act.
Importance of National Whistleblower Reward Day
National Whistleblower Reward Day plays a crucial role in combating fraud against the government. By highlighting the rewards available to those who report fraud, this day encourages more people to come forward with information about illegal activities.
The day also serves to educate the public about the significant impact whistleblowers have on recovering taxpayer funds and ensuring government programs operate with integrity. Without whistleblowers, much of the fraud against government programs would go undetected.
Additionally, this day helps reduce the stigma sometimes associated with whistleblowing by emphasizing that these individuals are performing a valuable public service that benefits all citizens.
Related Days
- National Whistleblower Appreciation Day (July 30)
- International Anti-Corruption Day (December 9)
- National Love Your Pet Day (February 20)
- National Cherry Pie Day (February 20)
- National Muffin Day (February 20)