Whistleblower

Whistleblower Protected Disclosures

Reporting Improper Activities

Any employee or third party associated with Cal State LA may report what that person reasonably and in good faith believes is an improper governmental activity (including fiscal improprieties) or a condition that significantly threatens the health or safety of university employees or visitors. These disclosures should be made with the intention of remedying the identified issues (CSU Executive Order 1115).

Submitting Complaints

Complaints are encouraged to be submitted to University Internal Audit, which is designated to receive such reports, or to the Chancellor’s Office. It is highly recommended that the Whistleblower complaint form be used and that as much supporting evidence as possible regarding the improper activity or health/safety condition be included.

Timeframe for Submission

Complaints should be submitted within 12 calendar months of the event that gave rise to the protected disclosure or within 12 calendar months of when the complainant knew or should have known about the alleged improper governmental activity.

Protection Against Retaliation

Retaliation for making a whistleblower report is strictly prohibited by federal and state law, as well as CSU policy (CSU Executive Order 1116).

Complaint Forms (Web)

Submit electronically through Adobe Sign:

Complaint Forms (PDF)

Submit through email, mail, or in person:

Whistleblower Complaints

University Internal Audit (IA) is designated to receive formal whistleblower complaints from employees and third parties on campus. These complaints can involve improper governmental activities or significant threats to health and safety.

Internal Audit coordinates the assessment of the proper course of action for processing such complaints. The department may assist in conducting internal investigations or coordinate investigations conducted for the campus by other internal or external investigators.

Improper Governmental Activities

Executive Order No. 1115 (Article II, § G) defines Improper Governmental Activity, reportable as a Whistleblower Disclosure, as an activity that:

  1. Is in violation of any state or federal law or regulation, including, but not limited to, corruption, malfeasance, bribery, theft of government property, fraudulent claims, fraud, coercion, conversion, malicious prosecution, misuse of government property, misuse of state expenditures, including allocations, loans, or grants, or willful omission to perform duty, or
  2. Is economically wasteful, involves gross misconduct, incompetence, or inefficiency. For the purposes of this policy, “Improper Governmental Activity” includes Significant Threats to Health or Safety and Illegal Orders.

Note: Reporting of actual or suspected Fiscal Improprieties is included under Improper Governmental Activities.

Quick Links: Whistleblower Complaints

You may also file a whistleblower complaint with the California State Auditor by contacting:

California State Auditor

P.O. Box 1019 Sacramento, CA 95812

Fax: (916) 322-2603

Whistleblower Hotline: (800) 952-5665

The California State Auditor does not accept complaints by email, but you may click here to file a complaint online.

Other Resources: Submitting Non-Whistleblower Complaints

Please note that Complaints concerning Title IX/DHR are investigated by the campus Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.

DHR stands for “Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation.”

The Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy (EO 1095) addresses Title IX prohibited conduct, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, and sexual harassment, and DHR prohibited conduct, including discrimination based on other protected statuses defined by federal and California law including, Age, Disability (physical and mental), Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion (or religious creed) and Veteran or Military Status. These capitalized terms are defined in the CSU Interim Nondiscrimination Policy. The Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy also prohibits retaliation for exercising one’s rights under the policy, including opposing conduct that one believes in good faith is discrimination or harassment because of a protected status, or for participating, in any manner, in any related investigation or hearing.

Please also note that complaints containing allegations that are personnel, labor relations or management issues, generally do not fall under the scope of the Whistleblower Investigation Process and are therefore not investigated by University Internal Audit. These complaints should be directed to Human Resources Management (HRM).

HRM contact information can be found at https://www.calstatela.edu/hrm/contact-us.