Report a Problem

Thank you for reporting your concern to the Office of the Inspector General. The Inspector General’s role is to improve oversight and accountability at the High-Speed Rail Authority, and the Inspector General takes seriously every report submitted through its hotline.

Pursuant to Public Utilities Code section 187032, the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail Authority receives and investigates complaints or information from any person concerning the existence of an activity related to the high-speed rail project constituting:

• A violation of laws, rules, or regulations.
• Mismanagement.
• Gross waste of funds.
• Abuse of authority.
• Substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety.

Pursuant to state law, the Inspector General does not investigate personnel issues regarding employees of the High-Speed Rail Authority. If you are a High-Speed Rail Authority employee and wish to report a personnel issue, please contact the following:

• To raise a concern regarding potential harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or nepotism, please contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Office at EEO@hsr.ca.gov. Additionally, an anonymous employee hotline, (833) 924-2496, exists for anyone who wishes to raise concerns anonymously. This hotline is closely monitored and staffed by the Authority Equity Compliance Officer.
• To raise a concern regarding a violation of State Personnel Board (SBP) regulation or policy, such as interference with promotional opportunities, access to SPB appeals processes, or designation of managerial positions, a completed Merit Issue Complaint Form must be submitted to HumanResources@hsr.ca.gov. Contact the HR Section at this e-mail address to request the complaint form.

If you wish to report a problem that involves a state agency or department other than the High-Speed Rail Authority, you may contact the California State Auditor at www.auditor.ca.gov/hotline or call (800) 952-5665.

How to Report a Problem

You may call our Whistleblower Hotline at 916-908-0893 to file a complaint by talking to Inspector General investigators. The hotline is typically staffed Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you call when the hotline is not being staffed or when investigators are occupied with other calls, you may leave a voicemail message requesting a return call.
Inspector General investigators will review each received complaint to determine whether sufficient information exists to warrant a full investigation. You can best assist the Inspector General’s office in collecting and evaluating that information by providing the following when you submit your complaint:

• A clear description of the problem that you are reporting, including:
  • What happened?
  • When did it happen? Is the problem ongoing?
  • Why do you believe it is a problem?
  • Who is involved? Clearly identify the name and organization of any individuals who you believe are involved.
  • What evidence exists to support the allegation?
  • What other witnesses may be able to verify what you are saying or provide additional evidence?
• Copies of any documents that will support your complaint. Speak with the Inspector General investigator before you submit documentation. The Inspector General investigator will coordinate with you on the best way to submit your documentation.

Confidentiality of Complaints

Public Utilities Code 187032 prohibits the Inspector General’s office from disclosing the identity of any employee of the High-Speed Rail Authority or one of its contractors who submits a complaint without the consent of that employee unless the Inspector General determines that the disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation, or the disclosure is made to an official of the Department of Justice responsible for determining whether a prosecution should be undertaken.

Whistleblower Retaliation Protection

Public Utilities Code 187032 states that no action constituting a reprisal, or threat of reprisal, for making the complaint or providing the information may be taken by any employee of the High-Speed Rail Authority in a position to take those actions, unless the complaint was made or the information was disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity.