What to Report to the OIG Hotline

OIG Hotline receives complaints of fraud, waste, or abuse in Smithsonian programs and operations.  These complaints may concern violations of law, rules, or regulations; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; abuse of authority; or substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety.

Please be as specific as possible.  Provide relevant names, dates and times, locations, how you became aware of the issue, the names of others affected by the issue, and other facts that would aid our understanding of the problem.

Examples of What to Report

  • abuse or gross misuse of Smithsonian property or resources
  • contract fraud or irregularities
  • Smithsonian employees being directed to perform tasks or errands not connected to official business or solely of a personal nature
  • embezzlement or theft of Smithsonian funds
  • falsification of, or misrepresentation on, official documents
  • fraud involving travel vouchers or requests for reimbursement
  • gross neglect of duty
  • violations of Smithsonian procurement, standards of conduct, or other policies

Examples of What Not to Report

  • Minor incidents — such as minor time and attendance abuse or misuse of government property — should be reported to the appropriate Smithsonian managers.
  • For discrimination complaints, filing a complaint with the OIG does not satisfy the required procedures under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  For more information about discrimination complaints, visit the website for the Office of Equal Employment and Supplier Diversity (formerly the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs).
  • Other personnel matters not involving violation of laws, regulation, or policy should be handled through the appropriate grievance process.
  • For other questions and concerns about the Smithsonian but not involving fraud, waste, or abuse in Smithsonian programs and operations, go to the Smithsonian's contact webpage.