What to Report to the OIG Hotline
The OIG has authority to investigate matters that concern FEC personnel, programs, operations, and funds, so as to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and related misconduct. OIG investigations analyze complaints from employees, contractors, and concerned members of the public to determine if complaints allege violations of law, regulation, or policy and impact FEC programs of operations. The subject of an OIG investigation may range from any agency employee, FEC contractor, consultant, or a person or entity involved in alleged wrongdoing that concerns FEC personnel, programs, operations, or funds. OIG investigations may address administrative, civil, or criminal violations of laws, regulations, and policies.
Matters appropriate for OIG investigation include, but are not limited to:
• Theft
• Misuse of resources
• Acquisition fraud
• Employee misconduct
• Mismanagement
• Retaliation
• Time and attendance fraud
• Travel fraud
• Conflicts of interest
• Ethical violations
• Abuse of authority
• Prohibited personnel practices
If you wish to file a complaint with the FEC OIG, please provide sufficient information so that we can initiate an inquiry as insufficient information can hinder the OIG’s investigation. You may file a complaint via the following three methods:
1. File a complaint through the FEC OIG Hotline Portal (preferred method)
2. File a complaint by completing the Hotline Complaint Form and mailing it to:
Federal Election Commission
Office of Inspector General
1050 First Street, NE Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20463
3. File a complaint in person at the OIG or via telephone by calling the OIG Hotline
at 202-694-1015 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. You may also dial toll-free at
1-800-424-9530 (menu option 0; then dial 1015).
*Please be advised that FEC OIG personnel are maintaining limited office hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, we recommend using the FEC OIG Hotline Portal to submit complaints.
What Not to Report to the OIG Hotline
The OIG does not generally investigate equal employment opportunity matters, Hatch Act violations, and violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). If you wish to file a complaint regarding equal employment opportunity matters, please contact the FEC Equal Employment Opportunity Office. If you wish to file a complaint regarding a Hatch Act violation, please contact the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. If you wish to file a complaint regarding a violation of the FECA, please contact the FEC Office of General Counsel.
Matters involving the administration of Federal elections, such as election fraud, voting system standards, and voter registration should be addressed to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 202-566-3100 or 866-747-1471 and/or the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division Voting Section, 202-307-2767.
