REWARD PROGRAM

Any source who requests payment for information will be informed that payments may be made only if the information provided is new to the OIG and leads directly to a felony charge or substantial monetary recovery from parties who defrauded TVA programs. No promises should be made that a reward will be given under any circumstances. The information provided will be documented in writing and forwarded to the appropriate department manager for evaluation.

Department managers will forward all requests/recommendations for rewards under this policy to the Assistant inspector General for Investigations (AIGI). The transmittal will include a synopsis of the information provided by the source, the significance of that information to the OIG's review, the results of the OIG review, and a recommended reward amount. The AIGI will then make a recommendation in writing to the Inspector General, who will make the final decision on any rewards.

Final approval of any reward is solely within the discretion of the Inspector General, who will be guided by the criteria established in this policy. As a prerequisite to approving a reward, the Inspector General may require the person under consideration for a reward to submit a sworn affidavit detailing how he/she obtained the information that formed the basis for the disclosure.

In determining whether to approve a reward, the Inspector General may consider the timeliness, accuracy, specificity, scope, and usefulness of the disclosure, and whether the OIG likely would have discovered the information without the source's assistance. The Inspector General also may consider (1) the circumstances under which the source acquired the information, (2) the source's culpability, if any, for the matters disclosed, and (3) the potential risk to the source, if any, for having made the disclosure.

The amount of reward may not exceed the lesser of $10,000 or an amount equal to one percent of TVA's total recovery as determined by the Inspector General. If the OIG receives information about the same matter from more than one source, the Inspector General may divide any reward for the disclosure among the sources based on the criteria set forth in this policy. The amount of any reward will be based on any relevant factors deemed appropriate by the Inspector General, e.g., the significance of the information provided, risks involved, time spent, expenses incurred, extent of fraud, and cost savings to TVA.

The source will be contacted to determine if he/she wishes to have a public or private reward presentation. The source's request for a private presentation takes precedence over the public relations value of a public ceremony. The source is to be informed that such compensation must be reported as income when filing Federal income tax forms or other appropriate tax forms. The identity of any person who receives a reward under this program shall remain confidential at that person's request.

Although the names of reward recipients will not be released without their consent, the Inspector General will as appropriate disseminate information within TVA and to the public regarding the number and amount of rewards, recoveries, and a synopsis of actions taken because of the disclosures

A person can provide information anonymously through Empowerline and still be eligible for the OIG reward program. The person would be notified through his/her Empowerline source identification number that he or she is eligible for a reward if in fact their information resulted in a felony charge or substantial monetary recovery. However, prior to actually receiving a reward, the individual would have to identify himself or herself in order for the Inspector General to complete the evaluation of the reward prerequisites. Identification would also be necessary for reward payment and tax records.

Rewards will be funded from the OIG budget.