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). A sworn complaint entitles you to certain rights and processes, including notification of whether the matter will be investigated and the ultimate resolution.

The FPPC enforces violations of the Act and 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. 

Please use the Electronic Complaint System to submit your complaint or referral to the Enforcement Division. MP3 instructions on how to use the Electronic System are also available. 

If you have any questions regarding the information required on the Electronic Complaint Form or want to check the status of your complaint (or referral) , please submit your questions electronically to complaint@fppc.ca.gov. A political reform consultant will respond as quickly as possible. 

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: 

1. Submit your complaint in writing.
    
2. 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.
    
3. Describe with particularity the facts constituting the alleged violation and provide any evidence to support the complaint.
    
4. State how you have personal knowledge of the violation.
    
5. Include names and addresses of witnesses, if known.
    
6. Check the box indicating that you are filing.

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 have two options:

1. You may make the complaint anonymously. Check "Anonymous Complaint." The Enforcement Division will evaluate your claim and has the authority to pursue a complaint on its own initiative. Please note: An anonymous complainant is not entitled to any notification of whether the matter will be investigated or the ultimate resolution.
    
2. If you wish to file a sworn complaint and believe you have legitimate reasons for us to keep your identity as the complainant confidential, please submit an electronic request to discuss the matter with an attorney in the Enforcement Division at complaint@fppc.ca.gov. An attorney will contact you to assess your status and advise you of the possibility of withholding disclosure of your identity. However, if the confidentiality is challenged, a court ultimately could determine that the complaint must be made public. 

Within 14 days of receiving your sworn complaint, the Enforcement Division will inform you how it intends to proceed. 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.

A sworn complaint found to have merit will be assigned to staff in the Enforcement Division for a full investigation. The division may obtain additional documents, issue subpoenas, and interview witnesses, including the person alleged to have violated the Act.

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 in writing, within 20 calendar days of receipt of the response, a request for reconsideration to the Executive Director of the Commission. 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. 

Once the Enforcement Division has fully investigated a complaint, the case may be resolved in several ways. If there is insufficient evidence to prosecute, the division may close the case with a letter finding no action or an advisory letter. If the seriousness of the offense and public harm are low, a warning letter may be issued identifying a violation of the Act but concluding a monetary fine is not warranted.

If the case merits an administrative penalty, the Enforcement Division may ask the Commissioners to approve a settlement agreement in which the subject of the investigation agrees to pay a fine or to take other remedial action. If an agreement cannot be reached, the case will be subject to a more formal administrative proceeding, including a probable cause conference and a hearing before an administrative law judge. In some cases, the FPPC may decide to prosecute a case by a filing a civil lawsuit in court.

To find a resolution for a prior case:

• Complaint Closure Letters - No action, advisory and warning letters
• Enforcement Case Results - Stipulations, default judgements, and decisions from Administrative Law Judges
• Enforcement Case Summaries - Summaries of case resolutions 1980 - 2013