File a Complaint
The information below will assist you in filing a complaint with the Enforcement Division of the FPPC if you suspect a violation of the Political Reform Act (the Act) or Government Code section 1090.
Violations that do not fall under the Act may be pursued by a local district attorney, the state attorney general or other enforcement agencies.
Violations of the Act include:
- Financial conflicts of interest
- Campaign money laundering
- Over-the-limit gifts and contributions
- Improper use of campaign funds, including personal use
- Campaign mass mailings at public expense
- False, inadequate, or inaccurate reporting on statements of economic interests, campaign statements and reports
- Non-filing or late filing of such statements and reports
- Anonymous or cash contributions of $100 or more
Violations do not include:
- False or misleading campaign materials
- Election fraud
- Misuse of public funds unrelated to campaign mass mailings
- Violations of the Elections Code, Penal Code or any laws other than the Political Reform Act
- Issues related to federal campaigns
- Open meeting law issues (Brown Act, Bagley-Keene)
- Local ordinances
- Vandalism of campaign signs
- Residency requirements for running for or holding office
Electronic Complaint System
You must use the Electronic Complaint System to electronically submit your complaint or referral to the Enforcement Division. More information regarding complaint requirements is available by clicking File a Complaint on the right side of this page. Please ensure to read these requirements in full prior to submitting your complaint. Audio instructions on how to use the Electronic System are also available.
Please note that complaints are not accepted by email.
Additional Sworn Complaint Requirements
A sworn complaint must comply with certain requirements. All of the pertinent information must be included. At a minimum, you must do all of the following:
- Submit your complaint through the Electronic Complaint System.
- Identify the person(s) who allegedly violated the Act, list the specific provisions you believe the person(s) violated, and the dates on which the violation occurred.
- Describe with particularity the facts constituting the alleged violation and provide any evidence to support the complaint. For example, if you are alleging a conflict of interest, please describe the relevant financial interest and governmental decision causing the conflict of interest and include copies of meeting minutes, if possible.
- State how you have personal knowledge of the violation.
- Include names and addresses of witnesses, if known.
- Check the box indicating that you are filing under penalty of perjury.
Potential Anonymity of Complainant
A complaint sent to the FPPC is subject to the Public Records Act and public disclosure, except under very limited circumstances. If you wish to keep your identity as the complainant confidential, you may file the complaint anonymously. This is the only way to guarantee that your name will not be disclosed. Check "Anonymous Complaint," and ensure that you do not include any identifying information in the complaint, including attachments, since complaints are public and disclosable records. The Enforcement Division will evaluate your claim and has the authority to pursue a complaint on its own initiative.
If you believe circumstances allow the FPPC to keep your identity confidential despite disclosure of your identity in the complaint, please send an email to complaint@fppc.ca.gov requesting to discuss the matter with an attorney in the Enforcement Division before submitting your complaint. An attorney will contact you to assess your status and advise you of the possibility of withholding disclosure of your identity. However, the granting of confidentiality is very limited and, if the confidentiality is challenged, a court ultimately could determine that the complaint must be made public and the FPPC would be required to disclose your identity.
Complaint Process
Please be advised that unless the Chief of Enforcement deems otherwise, within three business days of receiving your sworn complaint, we will send a copy of it to the person(s) you allege violated the law, regardless of whether the person is named as a respondent in the complaint. Then, within 14 days of receiving your sworn complaint, the Enforcement Division will inform you how it intends to proceed. If a person who filed a sworn complaint disagrees with the Enforcement Division's intended action, other than needing additional time to consider, the person may submit a written request for reconsideration to the Executive Director of the Commission within 20 calendar days of receipt of the response. The Executive Director may deny the request, or based on good cause, direct the Enforcement Division Chief to take specified action consistent with the Act and its regulations.
For non-sworn and anonymous complaints, information about complaint disposition is publicly available the FPPC’s Complaint and Case Information Portal.