Can the OIG give a District employee whistleblower protection?

Submitted by oig on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 06:13

No, the OIG cannot give whistleblower protection. In order to preserve your rights and to obtain a legal determination that you are a whistleblower who has been harmed as the result of a prohibited personnel practice, you must follow the mandates of the D.C. Code, which require that you seek relief and damages through a civil action filed in D.C. Superior Court, or pursue any administrative remedy through the District of Columbia Office of Employee Appeals or arbitration. The OIG has no statutory authority to adjudicate a claim seeking to invoke whistleblower protections.

Can I make an anonymous complaint or request confidentiality?

Submitted by oig on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 06:13

Yes, when reporting fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement to the OIG, at the time you file your complaint or provide information, you must tell the OIG that seek confidentiality or that you wish to remain anonymous. However, you are encouraged to identify yourself so that we may follow-up on your call, if necessary, and obtain additional information that will aid us in our investigation. If you give your name, your identity will be protected to the maximum extent allowed by law.

What authority does the OIG have with respect to complaints of retaliation by a supervisor?

Submitted by oig on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 06:12

District of Columbia personnel regulations and the OIG’s enabling statute prohibits retaliation against a person with a good-faith basis for bring information to or filing a complaint with the OIG. Accordingly, if you feel that you are being retaliated against for bringing forth information, you should contact the OIG. While the law does not give the OIG any enforcement authority, the OIG can, and has informed agency directors of the prohibition and this has typically resulted in a cessation of the alleged conduct.

If I make a complaint about fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement occurring at a District agency, why would the OIG send my complaint to the agency that I’m referring for investigation?

Submitted by oig on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 06:11

Due to the high volume of complaints and/or the need for background information, for some matters, it is more cost-effective for the agency to initially investigate the complaint. However, we typically ask for a response from the agency and, depending on the response, the OIG may initiate an investigation or request additional agency action.

What information must I provide to the OIG?

Submitted by oig on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 06:06

Our investigations are most successful when you provide as much pertinent information as possible about the alleged suspect(s) and/or victim(s) involved. The more you information you provide us, the more thorough any OIG investigation can be in determining whether a crime or a violation has been committed.

As you fill out a fraud allegation, please include the following about the alleged suspect(s) and/or victim(s):

  • Names
  • Addresses
  • Telephone numbers

It’s especially helpful to know facts about the alleged fraud, such as: