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

Remember! 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.

Share what you know:

You have two 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

The BSA cannot accept complaints via their Web site or e-mail.

The BSA follows up:
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

You’re protected by state law:

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 retailiation, speak up:

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.

• 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.
• University of California (UC) has its own system. If you work for UC, 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.