On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) Antitrust Division announced a new whistleblower program designed to encourage individuals to report antitrust violations. This marks the first time the DOJ has introduced a system that provides monetary rewards to whistleblowers who help expose and prosecute criminal antitrust conduct tied to the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”). For businesses, employees, and compliance teams connected to the USPS, this development could significantly impact the enforcement landscape.
A First-of-Its-Kind Program
Unlike most prior DOJ initiatives, this program offers whistleblowers between 15% and 30% of criminal fines collected when antitrust violations affect the USPS, its revenues, or its property. By creating financial incentives, the DOJ aims to motivate insiders with direct knowledge of illegal agreements to step forward. According to Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater, the goal is to “break down those walls of secrecy and hold violators accountable.”
To qualify, whistleblowers must meet strict requirements:
- Provide original, nonpublic, and voluntary information;
- Ensure the information leads directly to a successful criminal conviction or recovery of at least $1 million;
- Cooperate fully with DOJ investigators throughout the process.
Awards are not guaranteed — they remain discretionary and subject to the DOJ’s determination based on the usefulness and impact of the whistleblower’s cooperation.
Supplementing the Leniency Program
The DOJ’s longstanding Leniency Program has been its most effective tool for uncovering cartel activity since 1993. However, leniency primarily encourages companies or executives who participated in wrongdoing to self-report in exchange for reduced penalties.
The new whistleblower program fills a gap by targeting employees, contractors, or other individuals who may not be directly involved in misconduct but still possess valuable information. This shift could produce more leads, especially in cases where a company chooses not to self-report misconduct despite internal complaints. Employees now have a direct financial reason to bypass internal reporting channels and bring evidence straight to federal authorities.
Procurement Fraud and Related Enforcement Priorities
While the whistleblower rewards program itself is limited to USPS-related matters, the DOJ has signaled that public procurement fraud remains a broader enforcement priority. Recent prosecutions highlight this focus, including bid-rigging schemes involving university projects and fraudulent billing targeting the Department of Defense.
Through initiatives like the Procurement Collusion Strike Force, DOJ continues to prioritize fraud in federal, state, and local contracting. In parallel, the DOJ recently launched a False Claims Act working group targeting healthcare fraud, and the Securities and Exchange Commission continues to operate its own highly successful whistleblower program. Taken together, these efforts demonstrate a government-wide commitment to leveraging whistleblower tips as a cornerstone of enforcement.
Implications for Businesses
For companies engaged in contracts or dealings that affect the USPS, the whistleblower program creates new compliance challenges. Every employee, contractor, or partner with knowledge of potential misconduct now has a strong incentive to report violations externally rather than internally.
Companies must take extra care to:
- Strengthen compliance programs;
- Provide anonymous internal reporting channels;
- Investigate complaints promptly and thoroughly.
Ignoring or dismissing internal reports is riskier than ever. If a potential whistleblower feels unheard, the DOJ now offers a direct pathway to financial reward and legal protection. For companies, the cost of weak compliance policies could include not only reputational harm but also steep fines and criminal exposure.
What Legal and Compliance Teams Should Do Now
The DOJ’s whistleblower program raises the stakes for corporate compliance. Here are key steps companies should consider:
- Reinforce Antitrust Compliance Programs: Train employees at all levels to recognize and report anticompetitive behavior, such as price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocation.
- Establish Strong Reporting Mechanisms: Ensure employees have safe, anonymous, and accessible channels to raise concerns internally before they turn to federal authorities.
- Investigate Complaints Promptly: Take every allegation seriously. Swift and thorough investigations can prevent misconduct from escalating into a DOJ inquiry.
- Assess Risk in USPS-Related Activities: Companies that interact with or impact the Postal Service should pay particular attention to compliance, where DOJ scrutiny is highest.
- Reevaluate Leniency Options: In light of the new program, companies must reconsider the timing and benefits of self-reporting misconduct to secure leniency before whistleblower tips trigger an investigation.
Final Takeaway
While it may take time for the DOJ’s whistleblower program to generate a significant number of new cases, its launch signals a clear policy direction: criminal antitrust enforcement, particularly in areas involving the USPS, is back in focus. With financial incentives in play, businesses should expect more reports and greater scrutiny, especially in industries dependent on government contracts and postal-related services.
For companies, the message is clear: compliance can no longer be reactive. It must be proactive, thorough, and responsive. And for employees, the DOJ has opened the door to becoming a key part of the enforcement process, with potential rewards that make whistleblowing a compelling option.
If you have concerns about whistleblower rights, government investigations, or antitrust compliance, our attorneys at Hoyer Law Group are here to help. We represent both individuals considering whistleblower actions and companies working to strengthen compliance programs. Our experienced legal team can guide you through the complexities of DOJ investigations and ensure your rights and interests are protected. Contact Hoyer Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation.
