Whistleblower Information

California Whistleblower Act

The California Whistleblower Hotline —1 (800) 952-5665 — gives employees the opportunity to report the improper activities of state
agencies or employees.

The Bureau of State Audits (BSA), operator of the hotline, investigates:

• Illegal acts like theft, fraud, or conflicts of interest by state employees
• Misuse or abuse of state property or time by state employees
• Gross misconduct, incompetence, or inefficiency by state employees

The BSA can only follow up on state government improprieties. They do not investigate misconduct by federal or local governments or by private businesses or organizations.

You have three ways to share information with the BSA:

• Call the Whistleblower hotline at 1 (800) 952-5665

• Mail it to:
Investigations
Bureau of State Audits
555 Capitol Mall, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814

• Submit it online at https://www.bsa.ca.gov/contactus/complaint.php

The BSA cannot accept complaints via e-mail.

The BSA reviews all tips and investigates whenever possible. Although they have no enforcement power, they keep the process moving forward by reporting investigations that substantiate improprieties to:

• The head of the agency involved
• The attorney general or other enforcement agencies, legislative committees, and any other authority with jurisdiction
• The general public, keeping your identity confidential

EMPLOYEES ARE PROTECTED BY STATE LAW

The California Whistleblower Protection Act:

• Requires the BSA to protect employee identity (except from law enforcement).
• Helps guard against intimidation, threats, or coercion by state employees that could interfere with the right to disclose improper government activities.
• Shields employees from reprisal, retaliation, threats, or coercion for reporting such information.

IF AN EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCES RETALIATION, PLEASE REPORT IT:

• California State University (CSU) has its own reporting system.
Check the BSA Web site at www.bsa.ca.gov/bsa/hotline/filecomp.html for a link to information on its current policy.