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.