Whistleblower Hotline

The California Whistleblower Hotline, (800) 952-5665, gives you 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. It does not investigate misconduct by federal or local governments or by private businesses or organizations. You have two ways to share information with the BSA:  Call the Whistleblower Hotline at (800) 952-5665 or mail to Investigations, Bureau of State Audits, 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 300, Sacramento , CA 95814 . The BSA cannot accept complaints via their Web site or e-mail.

The BSA reviews all tips and investigates whenever possible.  Although they have no enforcement power, they keep the ball rolling 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

The California Whistleblower Protection Act goes to bat for you.

•  It requires the BSA to protect your identity (except from law enforcement).
•  It helps guard against intimidation, threats, or coercion by state employees that could interfere with your right to disclose improper government activities.
•  It shields you from reprisal, retaliation, threats, or coercion for reporting such information.
• If you experience retaliation, speak up.
•  If you're a state employee, contact the State Personnel Board in writing at 801 Capitol Mall, MS53, Sacramento , CA 95814 .  For additional information, call (916) 653-1403.
•  California State University (CSU) has its own system.  If you work for CSU, check the BSA Web site, www.bsa.ca.gov/bsa/hotline/filecomp.html , for a link to information on its current policy.

Additional information is available online in the Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures (MAPP) on the Human Resources website at www.csufresno.edu/humres/MAPP/II/G/Whistleblower.htm .