POLITICS
Tipsters Could Earn Up to $30K With Trump Administration’s New Whistleblower Program — But There’s a Catch
The Trump Administration is investing $25 million in a new whistleblower program to crack down on suspected fraud.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will announce the plan today, Tuesday, October 20, AP News reports. The Hill says the announcement will take place in the Oval Office.
The new Justice Department initiative, called the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, or WHIP, lets people submit tips at fraud.gov. Those who do could earn up to $30,000, but there’s a catch: The tip has to lead to a fraud conviction or a federal enforcement action.
WHIP is the latest step in Trump’s effort to stamp out what he’s called rampant fraud.
“Every day, President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud is zeroing in on the rampant abuse of taxpayer dollars and giving Americans the accountability they deserve,” White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said according to WBAL-TV News. “This administration has zero tolerance for individuals who steal from Americans.”
Trump, 80, also plans to hand a $10,000 check to right-wing influencer Nick Shirley. Last year, Shirley, 24, traveled to Minnesota and posted a YouTube video on December 26 showing visits to several Somali-run childcare centers. He claimed they were illegally collecting federal subsidies.
One person who appeared in the video was Fahima Mahamud. In July, she pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States for submitting fake meal reimbursement claims for children at her daycare. NBC News reports that Mahamud, 50, was CEO of Future Leaders Early Learning Center.
