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INFORMATION REGARDING THE FPPC'S COMPLAINT PROCESS
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 the complainant to certain rights and processes, including notification
of whether the matter will be investigated and the ultimate resolution.
The FPPC may only enforce violations of the Act. 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
COMPLAINT FORM & REQUIREMENTS
Complaint Form. To file a sworn complaint, please complete, sign, and date the
Complaint Form. You may either mail it to the address on the form or submit it
electronically to complaint@fppc.ca.gov.
Sworn Complaint Requirements
A sworn complaint must comply with certain requirements. All of the pertinent
information must appear on the form, not as an attachment. 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. Sign the complaint under penalty of perjury. (Electronic signatures are
acceptable when submitting via email.)
If you have any questions regarding the information required on the Complaint Form,
please submit your questions electronically to complaint@fppc.ca.gov. A political reform
consultant will respond as quickly as possible.
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. To make an anonymous complaint,
you need to fill out the Complaint Form, excluding your name and all other
identifying information, and mail it to the address on the form. 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.
SUBMIT A COMPLAINT...
By Email
Submit your complaint to:
complaint@fppc.ca.gov
By Postal Mail
428 J Street, Suite 620
Sacramento, CA 95814
Complaint Process
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.
Commission Action
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.
Administrative Enforcement Case Resolutions
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