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U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board
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**How To File A Complaint Under
The Inspector General Act Of 1978, As Amended With the
	Merit Systems Protection Board**
   Anyone who suspects that a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) 
								staff has committed fraud, waste, abuse, gross mismanagement or engaged in 
								conduct that presents a substantial and specific danger to public health or 
								safety involving MSPB programs or activities should contact the MSPB Office of 
								the General Counsel (OGC).  The OGC is charged with performing the 
								investigative functions for the Merit Systems Protection Board as required by 
								the Inspector General Act of 1978, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3, (IG Act), as 
								amended.
							Complaints may also be filed using the IG Hotline at the U.S. Department of 
								Agriculture Office of Inspector General. (See below)  Complaints filed 
								with the USDA OIG are forwarded to the MSPB OGC for further action.
							Reports may be made in person, by telephone, postal mail, electronic mail, fax, 
								or online using the following contact information:
							In Person and Postal Mail:
										U. S. Merit Systems Protection Board, 1615 M Street NW, Washington, DC   
											20419**Telephone:**
										(800) 424-9121 (Toll-free Hotline - maintained by the U.S. Department of 
											Agriculture Office of the Inspector General)
											(202) 869-9984 (Washington, DC Hotline - maintained by the U.S. Department of 
												Agriculture Office of the Inspector General)
											(202) 690-1202 (TDD)**e-mail:**
										inspector.general@mspb.gov**Fax:**
										(202) 653-7207
							When filing a complaint, employees and other complainants should convey as much 
								detail as possible on the matter including the identity of the person(s) 
								alleged to have engaged in the prohibited activity; a sufficient description of 
								the alleged activity or conduct; when and where the activity or incident 
								occurred; and why the informant or complainant believes that the activity or 
								conduct constitutes fraud, waste, abuse, gross mismanagement or a substantial 
								and specific danger to public health or safety.  The identity of and 
								contact information for other witnesses would also be helpful.
							NOTE: The IG complaint process, including the hotline, should not be 
								used in place of established statutory and regulatory procedures applicable to 
								discrimination complaints, grievances, or appeals of personnel actions.
							Confidentiality Information - The identity of complainants is protected under 
									the provisions of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 and the Inspector General Act of 1978
							The complainant's identity may remain confidential (*i.e.*, known only 
								to the USDA OIG or MSPB OGC), or anonymous (*i.e.*, unknown even to the 
								USDA OIG or MSPB OGC). If the complainant chooses to remain anonymous, MSPB 
								cannot obtain additional information regarding the allegation from the 
								complainant (e.g., testimonial or documentary evidence or identity of 
								witnesses), and cannot inform the complainant as to what action MSPB has taken 
								on the complaint. Confidential status allows further communication between MSPB 
								and the complainant after the original complaint is received.  Of course, 
								a complainant may permit his or her identity to be known by all parties 
								involved in the IG matter and allow his or her name to be used at the outset 
								and throughout the process (i.e., included in any investigation that may 
								take place).
							The General Counsel, in carrying out the agency's IG responsibilities, is 
								prohibited under the Inspector General Act from disclosing the identity of the 
								employee without the consent of the employee unless the IG determines such 
								disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation.  The 
								Whistleblower Protection Act prohibits disclosure of a complainant's identity 
								unless the Special Counsel determines that the disclosure of the individual's 
								identity is necessary because of an imminent danger to public health or safety 
								or imminent violation of any criminal law.
							Limits on Protection against Retaliation - The statutory protection 
								against reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information to an 
								Inspector General does not apply when a complaint is made or the information is 
								disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for 
								its truth or falsity.


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U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board
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