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.

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.

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.

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.

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

If you submit an email complaint, you will receive an email acknowledgement letter. If you submit a written letter, you will receive an acknowledgement letter.

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:

You have several options

• Call the OIG Hotline at (202) 724-TIPS (8477);
• Visit our office and discuss the matter with an OIG employee;
• Send a letter to the OIG;
• Visit the website and send an email to Ask the Director or fill out the online complaint form.

Anyone who has information about fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement relating to the District of Columbia government operations and/or District employees or suspects or has evidence of any action that may be considered fraud, waste, or abuse to the Office of Inspector General (OIG).