Fraud, Waste and Abuse Reporting System

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is committed to protecting City residents, City employees, and the public assets entrusted to the City. The City encourages confidential reporting of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse involving City operations.

Before submitting a report, please confirm:

1) Who is the report about?

This Reporting System is only intended for reports involving:

City employees
City volunteers
Members of City commissions and committees
City contractors

2) Is the report about fraud, waste, or abuse?

“Fraud, waste, and abuse” generally includes activities connected to official City duties that involve unlawful conduct relating to corruption, malfeasance, bribery, theft, fraudulent claims, misuse of government property, willful failure to perform duty, economic waste, or gross misconduct.

Examples may include:

Corruption, bribery, kickbacks
Theft of government property
False claims for payment / fraud
Forging financial documents
Misuse of City property or resources
Use of coercion, threats, or authority for personal gain
Willful failure to perform duties
Deceptive accounting practices
Other misconduct involving City finances, assets, or waste/mismanagement

How to Report

You may submit a report in any of the following ways. Furthermore, you are not required to provide your name or other personal information, and all reports will remain confidential.

Option A: Online (Encrypted Web Form)

Submit a report online using the City’s secure, encrypted web form.

Option B: Phone

You may also report by calling:

Human Resources & Risk Manager: Vanessa Godinez (310) 544-5331
Deputy City Manager: Catherine Jun (310) 544-5203

Tip: Please include dates/times, names/titles, locations, City departments, and any documents or other details that may help the City review the concern.

What NOT to Report Here (and Where to Report Instead)

Emergencies / Crimes

If there is an emergency or a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.
This Reporting System is not a substitute for law enforcement.

Reports About City Council Members

This Reporting System will not accept reports about members of the City Council. Reports involving potential criminal behavior or ethics/elections/conflict-of-interest issues should be directed to the appropriate external agency, such as:

Los Angeles County District Attorney: (213) 974-3512
California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC): (916) 322-5660
FPPC online complaint system

Personnel Issues

Concerns regarding City employees involved in issues such as discrimination, sexual harassment, substance abuse, workplace violence, or threats should not be submitted through this Reporting System. Please report those concerns to:

Human Resources & Risk Manager: Vanessa Godinez at (310) 544-5331 or vgodinez@rpvca.gov

Service Requests (“Fix-It” Requests)

For issues like potholes, flooding, downed branches, public records requests, or trash/graffiti reporting, please use the City’s Non-Emergency Customer Service Requests portal:

What Happens After a Report Is Submitted

Receipt of report: Reports are received by the City and forwarded to the Case Managers, which include the Deputy City Manager and Human Resources & Risk Manager.
Initial review: The Case Managers determine whether the report is appropriate for this Reporting System (who it’s about and whether it involves fraud/waste/abuse).
If appropriate: The report is referred to the City Attorney and City Manager for determination of the investigation approach (in-house or third-party), based on efficiency, cost, objectivity, and expertise needed.
If not appropriate: The City may close the case and either take no action, refer it to another public agency, or forward it to the appropriate City department for follow-up.

Outcome:

If the report lacks merit, it may be closed and (if possible) the reporter may be informed.
If confirmed, the City Council will be informed, and the City will take appropriate remedial and/or disciplinary actions.

Questions

If you have questions about whether something should be submitted through this Reporting System, please contact:

Human Resources & Risk Manager: Vanessa Godinez at (310) 544-5331 or vgodinez@rpvca.gov
Deputy City Manager: Catherine Jun at (310) 544-5203 or cjun@rpvca.gov