International Leaders from Kyrgyzstan Visit U.S. Law Firm to Discuss Whistleblower Laws

On August 6, a delegation of officials from Kyrgyzstan visited the office of Washington D.C. whistleblower firm Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto (KKC) to discuss the use of transnational whistleblower laws. The meeting was organized by the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). This professional exchange connects anti-corruption champions abroad with government and civil society leaders in the United States.

KKC Senior Law Clerks Melissa Revuelta and Kate Reeves led the discussion to showcase how transnational whistleblower laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AML Act) , and the Dodd-Frank Act, can be used by whistleblowers in Kyrgyzstan. Revuelta and Reeves stressed the importance that whistleblowers who offer voluntarily original information that leads to an enforcement action may be eligible for monetary rewards worth 10-30% of the sanctions collected in action. They also highlighted the significance of anonymity and confidentiality that these whistleblower laws offer.

“Providing incentives such as rewards can encourage whistleblowers to come forward,” Revuelta said. “Transnational whistleblower laws in the United States provide an essential avenue for whistleblowers worldwide to report confidentially and still be protected.”

Whistleblowing extends beyond just the United States. The discussion demonstrated how whistleblower tips from across the globe have led to successful enforcement actions. Revuelta and Reeves informed the delegation under which circumstances a Kyrgyz whistleblower could receive an award. The delegation specifically asked what type of connection to the United States is required for a corporation to be sanctioned from an international whistleblower tip.

The delegation expressed their appreciation for learning this information and enthusiasm for sharing it in Kyrgyzstan. KKC expresses its gratitude to the U.S. State Department for incorporating the firm into the IVLP program, thereby acknowledging the vital contribution of whistleblowers in the fight against corruption. It is essential to offer educational opportunities to these international delegations so they may share the information with their networks and explain the steps to build vital whistleblower protection programs domestically. This is essential to bridging the knowledge gap and ensuring whistleblowers have the proper tools to bring their information to the right authorities.