OSC Seal U.S. Office of Special Counsel

Home | About | Privacy Policy | Site Index | Accessibility | E-Filing | En EspaƱol

  
Printer Friendly Page
 

OSC Online  

 

OSC Role (Hatch Act)

Advisory Opinions

OSC issues advisory opinions to persons seeking advice about political activity under the Hatch Act. You may request such advice by phone, fax, mail or e-mail.

Hatch Act Unit
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 201
Washington, D.C. 20036-4505
Tel: (800) 85-HATCH or (800) 854-2824
        (202) 254-3650
Fax: (202) 653-5151

E-mail: hatchact@osc.gov


How to File a Complaint Alleging a Violation of the Hatch Act

Filers alleging a violation of the Hatch Act may use Form OSC-13 (Complaint of Possible Prohibited Political Activity) to submit their allegation to OSC.  Form OSC-13 can be printed from this Web site.  Filers can fill the form online or fill it out after printing the form. Once the form is filled it should be mailed or faxed (202-653-5151) to OSC. If filers use another format to submit a Hatch Act violation, the following information should be included: 

  • name, mailing address, and telephone number of the complainant, and a time when the complainant can be safely contacted, unless the matter is submitted anonymously;
  • the department or agency, location, and organizational unit complained of; and
  • a concise description of the actions complained about, names and positions of employees who took these actions, if known to the complainant, and dates, preferably in chronological order, together with any documentary evidence the complainant may have.

Complaints should be sent to:

Hatch Act Unit
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 201
Washington, DC 20036-4505.


Enforcement

When warranted after investigation of an alleged Hatch Act violation, OSC will prosecute violations before the Merit Systems Protection Board.  When violations are not sufficiently egregious to warrant prosecution, OSC may issue a warning letter to the employee involved.


Previous Page | Top of Page | Home | Contacts | Privacy Policy | Site Index

 
Last Updated: 10/24/08