Report I98-2 Summary - September 1998

Investigations of Improper Governmental Activities by State Employees: February 1 Through June 30, 1998

The Bureau of State Audits (bureau) administers the Reporting of Improper Governmental Activities Act (act) contained in Section 8547, and following, of the California Government Code. The act defines "improper governmental activity" as any action by a state agency or state employee during the performance of official duties that violates any state or federal law or regulation; that is economically wasteful; or that involves gross misconduct, incompetence, or inefficiency. The bureau receives and investigates complaints of improper governmental activities. To enable state employees and the public to report these activities, the state auditor maintains the toll-free Whistleblower Hotline (hotline). The hotline number is (800) 952-5665.

This report details the results of the eight investigations completed by the bureau and other agencies between February 1 and June 30, 1998, that substantiated complaints. Following are examples of the substantiated improper activities:


Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development


Department of Health Services
Public Utilities Commission
Department of Corrections
Stephen P. Teale Data Center
This report also summarizes corrective actions taken by state entities as a result of investigations presented here or reported previously by the state auditor.

If, after investigating any allegations, the state auditor determines reasonable evidence exists of improper governmental activity, the bureau confidentially reports the details of the activity to the head of the employing agency or the appropriate appointing authority. The employer or appointing authority is required to notify the state auditor of any corrective action taken, including disciplinary action, no later than 30 days after the date the state auditor transmits the confidential investigative report. If employers or appointing authorities do not complete the actions within 30 days, they must report to the state auditor monthly until they complete the actions.

In addition, Appendix A contains statistics on the complaints received by the bureau between February 1 and June 30, 1998. It also summarizes our actions on those or other pending complaints as of February 1, 1998.

Finally, Appendix B details the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the improper activities discussed in this report.