The Secretary may pay a reward to an individual who provides original information which leads to a recovery of a criminal fine, civil penalty, or forfeiture, which exceeds $50,000, for a violation of this chapter.
The Secretary shall determine the amount of a reward under this section. The Secretary may not award more than 25 per centum of the net amount of the fine, penalty, or forfeiture collected or $150,000, whichever is less.
An officer or employee of the United States, a State, or a local government who provides information described in subsection (a) in the performance of official duties is not eligible for a reward under this section.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 901(e), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2135.)