U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today the establishment of a Whistleblower Non-Prosecution Pilot Program aimed at addressing bribery, fraud, healthcare offenses, civil rights violations, corporate misconduct, and issues impacting the integrity of financial markets.
The initiative encourages individuals involved in certain non-violent offenses to disclose their criminal activities and provide cooperation against others implicated. In return, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will offer a non-prosecution agreement if specific conditions are met, including that the government was not previously aware of the disclosed criminal conduct. This approach aims to incentivize timely self-disclosure and cooperation from individuals and their counsel, thus uncovering more misconduct and enhancing protection for New Jersey citizens.
“We are always looking for new and effective ways to identify and aggressively pursue crime,” said U.S. Attorney Sellinger. “This program sends a clear message that if you’ve helped commit a crime, you should come forward early and fully. If you don’t, someone else will. To get on the right side of the law and take advantage of this program, email us using the instructions on our website.”
The Whistleblower Non-Prosecution Pilot Program targets individuals who participated in criminal activity and face potential liability; it is distinct from the Department of Justice’s Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program designed for those who did not meaningfully engage in criminal conduct within four specified areas detailed at www.justice.gov/CorporateWhistleblower.
As with all internal policies of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this new program offers guidance to prosecutors without creating any substantive or procedural rights enforceable by witnesses or parties in administrative, civil, or criminal matters. The discretion remains solely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine whether an individual has met each condition required for entering into a non-prosecution agreement based on their cooperation.
