The Governor of California
President pro Tempore of the Senate
Speaker of the Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, California 95814
Dear Governor and Legislative Leaders:
Pursuant to the California Whistleblower Protection Act (Whistleblower Act), the California State Auditor’s Office confidentially investigates allegations of improper governmental activities by state agencies and employees in connection with the performance of their duties.
This investigative report summarizes investigations concerning allegations of improper governmental activities that were completed between January 2017 and June 2017. During this time period, the office received over 662 calls or inquiries and conducted investigative work on nearly 677 cases that we opened either in previous periods or in the current period. After conducting preliminary reviews of the allegations involved, we determined that 435 of these cases lacked sufficient information for investigation and conducted work on the remaining 242, of which 50 resulted in an investigation.
This report details six substantiated allegations involving several state agencies and a university campus. Through our investigative processes, we found inaccurate reporting, waste of funds, illegal activities, and misuse of state resources. For example, a psychiatric technician at Atascadero State Hospital engaged in a pattern of attendance abuse—arriving late, leaving early, and taking long lunches—without reporting his absences. As a result, the employee received more than $7,500 in improper overtime pay over a one‑year period.
State agencies must report to my office any corrective or disciplinary action taken in response to recommendations we make. Their first report is due no later than 60 days after we notify the agency or authority of the improper activity and monthly thereafter until corrective action is completed.
Respectfully submitted,
ELAINE M. HOWLE, CPA
State Auditor