Public Integrity

The Controller’s Office, in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office, conducts public integrity reviews to assess misconduct or criminal conduct by City employees, officials, and vendors, and to transparently describe the City’s efforts to root out and prevent corruption in all its forms.

Learn more about the Public Integrity series

Public Integrity Tipline

Investigators from the Controller’s Office consider every allegation of wrongdoing raised by city employees and members of the public. Please contact the Public Integrity Tip Line to report suspected public integrity abuses. You can provide information via e-mail at publicintegrity@sfgov.org or by phone at (415) 554-7657. All tips may be submitted anonymously and will remain confidential.

Suspended and Debarred Contractors

Debarment procedures are used to disqualify contractors from the City’s bidding process. View the current list of suspended or debarred contractors.

Whistleblower Program

The Whistleblower Program helps ensure integrity and accountability in our government. Anyone can report fraud, waste, and abuse by City employees and City contractors. The Controller's Office will investigate your confidential report. Find out more about the Whistleblower Program.

Public Integrity Assessments and Audits

Published in 2024

Preliminary Assessment: Criminal Conduct by Former San Francisco Public Utilities Commission General Manager Harlan Kelly Undermined the Integrity of City Procurements Despite Existing Rules Governing Gifts, Disclosures, and Sole Source Waivers Published March 28, 2024.
- Press Release

Published in 2023

The Community Challenge Grant Program’s 2023 Solicitation Process Was Deeply Flawed and Needs to be Redone Properly Published October 17, 2023.
- Press Release
Field Follow-up of the 2021 Public Integrity Audit: Significant Changes Are Needed to the Design, Monitoring, and Control of the SFPUC’s Social Impact Partnership Program Published December 7, 2023

Published in 2022

San Francisco Department of the Environment’s Relationship with Recology and Lack of Compliance with Ethics Rules Published April 8, 2022.
- Press Release
Refuse Rate-Setting Process – Update Based on Additional Reviews and Meetings with Recology Published May 16, 2022.
- Press Release

Published in 2021

Ethical Standards for Contract Award Processes of the Airport Commission and Other Commissions and Boards Published January 11, 2021.
- Press Release
Refuse Rate-Setting Process Lacks Transparency and Timely Safeguards Published April 14, 2021.
- Press Release
Department of Building Inspection’s Permitting and Inspections Processes Published September 16, 2021.
- Press Release
SFPUC’s Social Impact Partnership Program Published December 9, 2021.
- Press Release

Published in 2020

San Francisco Public Works Contracting Published June 29, 2020.
- Press Release
Gifts to Departments Through Non-City Organizations Lack Transparency and Create “Pay-to-Play” Risk Published September 24, 2020.
- Press Release
San Francisco’s Debarment Process Published November 5, 2020.
- Press Release

Public Integrity Updates

12 Month Update 08/2021
24-Month Update 12/2022
2024 Update 08/2024

Resources

How to file a whistleblower report

Report fraud, waste, and abuse by City employees and people who do business with the City.

Whistleblower Summary Reports

Learn more about the City's efforts to review and improve the Whistleblower Program.

Whistleblower Program Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about the City's Whistleblower Program.

Citywide Nonprofit Monitoring and Capacity Building Program

We coordinate a process to ensure that nonprofits that have contracts with the City meet performance and financial standards and offer training opportunities to support sustainable operations.

Departments

Controller's Office