by Helen V. Cantwell, Andrew J. Ceresney, Andrew M. Levine, David A. O’Neil, Winston M. Paes, Jane Shvets, Bruce E. Yannett, Douglas S. Zolkind, Erich O. Grosz, and Rebecca Maria Urquiola
Top left to right: Helen V. Cantwell, Andrew J. Ceresney, Andrew M. Levine, David A. O’Neil, and Winston M. Paes.
Bottom left to right: Jane Shvets, Bruce E. Yannett, Douglas S. Zolkind, Erich O. Grosz, and Rebecca Maria Urquiola. (Photos courtesy of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP)
On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) launched the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program (the “Program”).[1] The Program seeks to incentivize individuals to report criminal wrongdoing—including corporate control failures, state and local bribery, and fraudulent dealings involving public funds—before SDNY learns of the conduct and to fully cooperate with any resulting investigations and prosecutions. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams encouraged individuals “to come clean, cooperate, and get on the right side of the law,” cautioning “[c]all us before we call you.”[2]