Whistleblower as the most effective investigative tool

Although whistleblowers have long been a part of the American landscape, their claims were largely confined to violations of labor and employment laws. Now, whistleblowers have established a prominent position in white collar enforcement. Nowhere is this transition more apparent than in the creation of government whistleblower offices.

Over the past 10 years, the government has sought to better utilize one of its most effective investigative tools— the whistleblower. The IRS established its whistleblower office in 2006. In 2011, both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) established whistleblower offices. 

In addition, government agencies that have traditionally worked with whistleblowers have stepped up their solicitation and enforcement of whistleblower complaints.

Lessons from the Year of the Whistleblower: A changing regulatory regime