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Whistleblower office reports decline in backlog, most closed complaints not sustained; committee receives annual report
Summary
The countywhistleblower program reported 348 complaints received and 362 closed in the July 1, 2024toJune 30, 2025 period, with 25 open cases at the end of the period. Most closed investigations were not sustained and the office emphasized confidentiality and follow-up procedures.
The Finance and Government Operations Committee received the Office of the County Counselannual report on the countywhistleblower program for the period July 1, 2024to June 30, 2025 and voted to accept the report.
Dr. Heather Aiken, program manager for the whistleblower program, told the committee the office received 348 complaints in the reporting year and closed 362 matters (the closed count includes cases opened in earlier periods). As of June 30, the office had 25 open complaints; 68% of the open matters originated within the prior six months.
"We had 348 complaints. We closed 362 complaints. As of June 30, we had 25 open complaints," Dr. Aiken said, summarizing the caseload.
The most common allegation types were hostile work environment or general mistreatment, followed by hiring, firing and performance concerns and policy issues. Among fully investigated and closed cases, 109 were found not sustained, five sustained and four partially sustained. The office also referred 94 matters to other internal county programs and closed 32 for insufficient information.
Committee members asked whether the office could break statistics out by department. Dr. Aiken said department-level details are provided in quarterly off-agenda reports to protect confidentiality when small departments might permit identification of complainants. The office also said it sometimes cannot determine whether multiple submissions come from the same person when complaints are submitted anonymously, though complainants who identify themselves will often note prior filings.
Members asked about case timelines, procedures for insufficient-information closures and the kinds of corrective actions for sustained findings. Aiken said staff try to close matters promptly and that the office reopens complaints if additional information is later provided. For sustained complaints that involve wrongdoing on county time, the office works with departments to pursue corrective actions through the discipline process.
Supervisors praised the programits 24/7 hotline and multilingual call handlingnoting the program had led to significant outcomes including an instance referred to the district attorneywhich resulted in an embezzlement conviction, and that some sustained matters have produced disciplinary consequences.
The committee voted to receive the report. The vote recorded Vice Chair Ellenberg and Chairperson Young both voting yes.
