### Question
Can you define what original source means?


### Answer
**Original source** is defined as the following in *12 U.S.C. § 4224*:

> a person who has direct and independent knowledge of the information contained in the declaration and who voluntarily provided the information to the government prior to the disclosure

#### Citation:
  - *12 U.S.C. § 4224*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 43-ACTIONS AGAINST PERSONS COMMITTING BANK FRAUD CRIMES > SUBCHAPTER II-DECLARATIONS PROVIDING UNITED STATES WITH NEW INFORMATION CONCERNING RECOVERY OF ASSETS**

