ARRA Funding

Grants funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 have specific compliance and reporting requirements. ARRA also protects employees of non-federal employers who disclose possible fraud, waste, and/or abuse of Recovery Act funds. This whistleblower protection is in effect at Suffolk University.

You might have also seen ARRA referred to as Section 1553 of Division A, Title XV of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5.

Whistleblower Protection

Who is protected?

Employees of non-federal employers receiving recovery funds--including state and local governments, contractors, subcontractors, grantees, or professional membership organizations acting in the interest of recovery fund recipients--are covered.

How are whistleblowers protected?

You cannot be discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against as a punishment for making a protected disclosure.

What types of disclosures are protected?

Any disclosure must be made to the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, an inspector general, the comptroller general, a member of Congress, a state or federal regulatory or law enforcement agency, a person with supervisory authority over you, a court or grand jury, or the head of a federal agency or his/her representatives. The disclosure must involve information that you believe is evidence of:

  • gross mismanagement of an agency contract or grant relating to recovery funds;
  • a gross waste of recovery funds;
  • a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety related to the implementation or use of recovery funds;
  • an abuse of authority related to the implementation or use of recovery funds; or
  • a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to an agency contract or grant awarded or issued relating to recovery funds.