What is Whistleblower?

A Whistleblower is really a slang term that is now generally accepted and which is used in practice to describe that person who alerts civil authorities of the wrongful acts being committed by his employer against the government. Whistleblowers are entitled to protection from retaliation by provisions of the Federal Whistleblower Protection Act. Another remedy, beyond that provided by the Act, is the filing of what is called a Qui Tam Claim. In Qui Tam, the Whistleblower sues his employer directly on behalf of the government. The Whistleblower may then be entitled to share substantially in any recovery that is made.