Can I file a discrimination complaint with the OIG?
No, the OIG lacks jurisdiction to investigate employment discrimination complaints. The DC Office of Human Rights has jurisdiction to investigate employment discrimination complaints.
Can the OIG give a District employee whistleblower protection?
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?
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.
How can I learn the status of my complaint?
The OIG does not provide status reports. To obtain information about the OIG’s activities, you must file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the OIG. In accordance with FOIA, we will evaluate your request to determine whether the OIG can provide you with any documents that are responsive to the request.
What authority does the OIG have with respect to complaints of retaliation by a supervisor?
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?
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 to expect after the OIG receives a complaint?
The OIG conducts a preliminary assessment of the complaint to determine how it should proceed. Our investigations are most successful when you provide as much pertinent