NJ pilot program to protect whistleblowers who expose criminal activity

NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — The U.S. Attorney of New Jersey has a new program to help root out corruption and other non-violent crimes.

It’s called the Whistleblower Non-Prosecution Pilot Program . It will protect whistleblowers who have committed crimes if they cooperate with prosecutors.

“We’re hoping that this will encourage people to disclose crimes including bribery, fraud, health care offenses, civil rights violations, corporate misconduct, and other offenses which might involve the integrity of the markets,” said U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger.

Sellinger says whistleblowers must meet several conditions to get the protections, including reporting crimes that were not previously known.

Certain elected or high-ranking officials are not eligible for the protections.

“And someone who has originated or led or been the primary wrongdoer,” Sellinger said.