Oftentimes, it only takes a single individual to create institutional change. This is the key concept behind whistleblowers and why we should celebrate them.
First things first: what is whistleblowing? This is when an employee reveals that their organization is involved in wrongdoing, often risking their well-being in the process. Some illegal activities the employee may report include:
- Fraud
- Abuse
- Corruption
- Damage to the environment
- Health and safety violations
Despite the potential benefits of this act, many would-be whistleblowers remain quiet in fear of retaliation. Read on to learn more about whistleblowing and some of the biggest whistleblower success stories!
Do Whistleblowers Get Rewarded?
In return for their information, many whistleblowers receive monetary rewards. This is usually a percentage of the sanctions collected from the wrongdoers. The exact reward will vary by the specific program and case.
In general, rewards are only awarded if the information given by the whistleblower leads to a successful enforcement action. Even so, the possibility of a reward is a major incentive for people to come forward with key information.
Are Whistleblowers Really Protected?
Given the potential impact of whistleblowers, it’s no surprise that their protection is a priority in many jurisdictions. The protection laws generally aim to prevent retaliation from employers, which may include:
- Demotion
- Dismissal
- Threats and coercion
- Negative performance reviews
The legal safeguards for whistleblowers also have some limitations. For example, if someone intentionally provides false information or uses the wrong reporting channels, they’re unlikely to be protected.
Four Whistleblower Success Stories
Whistleblowing comes in many forms, but the end result is the same: exposing legal or ethical misconduct. Here are four famous whistleblower cases that serve as great examples of this practice.
1. Edward Snowden
In 2013, Edward Snowden was working as a contractor for the NSA. Once he found evidence of illegal surveillance programs, he tried to raise his concerns internally. When that didn’t work, he leaked top-secret documents to the media.
Snowden’s motivation for the leaks was simple: he couldn’t watch the U.S. government destroy basic liberties. In response, he was charged with theft of government property and violating the Espionage Act.
Before the law could get to him, Snowden fled to Russia. Seven years after the leaks, the U.S. Court condemned the NSA’s activities as unlawful.
2. Mark Felt
As far as whistleblower motivation stories go, Mark Felt may be the most famous one. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, you may know him as Deep Throat.
In 1972, journalists Woodward and Bernstein broke the Watergate scandal. The trail of evidence eventually led all the way to President Richard Nixon, who was forced to resign from office in disgrace.
The whole story was made possible by the whistleblower known as Deep Throat. His identity remained a secret for over 30 years. In 2005, he was identified as Mark Felt, the FBI’s Associate Director at the time.
3. Terry Bryan
In 2011, England was mired in a scandal involving senior abuse at the Winterbourne View Hospital. One senior nurse, Terry Bryan, was working at the hospital at the time and witnessed the abuse first-hand.
After raising the issue with management, Bryan took his observations to the CQC, England’s regulating agency for health and social care. When they also failed to act, he went to the BBC, which led to the hospital’s shutdown.
When asked if he would blow the whistle again, Bryan said yes. He stated he “wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if he didn’t do it.”
4. Chelsea Manning
Chelsea Manning still holds the record for releasing the largest set of classified files in the history of the U.S. These documents, published during the WikiLeaks affair, highlighted the abuse of war prisoners by American soldiers.
As a result of the leaks, Manning was convicted of violating the Espionage Act. Following a controversial trial, she was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
After seven years, Manning’s sentence was commuted by President Obama. Since her release, Manning has continued to champion freedom of speech and now makes her living through speaking engagements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Is the Largest Whistleblower Settlement?
The current record for the largest individual whistleblower award is $279 million. The recipient was an anonymous informant who provided information about bribery schemes at Ericsson, which led to a major SEC enforcement action.
The largest overall whistleblower settlement is $3.1 billion. This takes into account the money that the government recovered from TD Bank, which pleaded guilty to BSA violations and money laundering in 2024.
How Long Do Whistleblower Lawsuits Take?
Whistleblower cases can take from a few months to more than a decade to resolve. This depends on factors such as:
- The complexity of the case
- The cooperation of the involved parties
- The need for evidence and investigation
- The response from the accused
Oftentimes, the government will leave the decision of whether or not to settle with the defendant to the whistleblower and his or her attorney. If no settlement is reached, litigating the case may take several years.
With programs like the SEC, the process of applying for an award can take years by itself. This is particularly true if there are competing claims.
What Are the Risks of Being a Whistleblower?
The main risks of blowing the whistle on a company involve professional retaliation. This act may also negatively impact your career prospects and, in some cases, may even lead to threats to your personal safety.
This is why strong legal protection for whistleblowers is so essential. Beyond hiring an attorney, the best whistleblower protection tips we can give you are to gather evidence carefully and cultivate a strong support system.
We Can Help You Protect Your Rights!
As you can see, whistleblowing is a risky responsibility. That said, if there’s one lesson to take away from these whistleblower success stories, it’s that doing the right thing is often the only way to soothe your conscience.
Thinking of blowing the whistle on your company? At RHINO Lawyers, we know all there is to know about legal protection for whistleblowers. Our legal team will protect your rights, even if you decide to stay anonymous!
Contact us now for a free confidential consultation — we’re available 24/7!
