US: Senators approve antitrust whistleblower protection bill

Legislation introduced by Senators Chuck Grassley (Republican – Iowa) and Patrick Leahy (Democrat – Vermont) to protect whistleblowers who shine a light on unlawful anticompetitive activities passed unanimously in the Senate on October 18. The Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act prohibits reprisal against private sector employees who provide information to the Department of Justice regarding conduct that violates the criminal antitrust laws.

“Competition is essential to a thriving, affordable and innovative marketplace. When our antitrust laws are violated, consumers are often left paying the price. The Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act, which passed today in the US Senate, encourages private sector employees to blow the whistle on activities that violate our antitrust laws and harm consumers. This bill also protects these private sector employees from reprisal in the workplace after coming forward with information working to protect whistleblowers, specifically in the private sector,” Grassley said.

“The Senate has once again come together to protect those who step forward to report criminal antitrust violations, such as price fixing.  Since our nation’s founding, our country has a proud history of working to protect whistleblowers, who often take on significant personal and professional risks to report fraud, abuse, and criminal activity.  More work remains but I am hopeful the House will take up and pass this important legislation without delay,” Leahy said.The Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act extends whistleblower protections for employees who provide information to the Department of Justice related to criminal antitrust violations. The Senate unanimously passed a similar version of the legislation in 2013, 2015, and 2017.

Full Content: Chuck Grassley

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