Controller’s Office reports spike in low‑information whistleblower submissions; plans independent review

David Jensen, manager of the Controller’s Office whistleblower program, told the Citizens General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee that the office has seen an unusually high number of reports in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021–22 and that many of those submissions lack sufficient information for investigation.

Jensen said the office received 264 complaints in the quarter; roughly 120 of those were low‑information submissions that consisted only of web links (often to Wikipedia) with no identified employees, departments, dates or narrative. He said the intake team treats every report seriously but that the office now scans and closes such low‑information items within 24 hours after ensuring no critical facts were omitted. Jensen noted that for complaints where the office does have sufficient information, roughly 30–40% result in corrective actions.

The Controller’s Office reported it met its internal goal to close 75% of reports within 90 days — in Q1 it closed 97% — partly because many of the new submissions were non‑actionable and could be closed quickly. Jensen said guidance for filing actionable complaints is available on the office website, and he described plans for training departmental liaisons, publishing quarterly reports that include referral outcomes, and undergoing an independent audit of the hotline function. He said the office had issued a webinar on COVID‑related fraud topics and expects additional outreach.

Committee members expressed concern about staff time consumed by spam‑style filings but accepted Jensen’s explanation that the office was streamlining intake and would continue to review every report for potential merit. A controller representative present said the Controller’s Office would notify other offices where appropriate to help resolve outstanding interdepartmental issues.