Public Utilities Code § 187035

187035.

(a) The Inspector General shall not destroy any papers or memoranda used to support a completed audit or review sooner than three years after the corresponding report is published or delivered pursuant to Section 187037.

(b) All books, papers, records, and correspondence of the office pertaining to its work are public records subject to Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code and shall be filed at any of the regularly maintained offices of the Inspector General, except that none of the following items or papers of which these items are a part shall be released to the public by the Inspector General or the employees of the Inspector General:

(1) Personal papers and correspondence of any person providing assistance to the Inspector General for purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 187032 when that person has requested in writing that their papers and correspondence be kept private and confidential. Consistent with subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 187032, those papers and correspondence shall become public records if the written request is withdrawn, or upon the order of the Inspector General.

(2) Papers, correspondence, memoranda, or any substantive information pertaining to any audit or review not completed.

(3) Papers, correspondence, or memoranda pertaining to any audit or review that has been completed, which papers, correspondence, or memoranda are not used in support of any report resulting from the audit or review.

(4) Any survey of public employees or contracted staff that the Inspector General determines should be kept confidential to deter retaliation if the employees or staff respond to the survey.

(5) Any record of an investigation conducted under this division, including, but not limited to, all investigative files and work product, except that the Inspector General, whenever the Inspector General determines it necessary to serve the interests of the state, may issue a public report of the results of an investigation that has substantiated a violation of laws, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety. Except as provided in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 187032, the Inspector General may also release any findings or evidence supporting any findings resulting from an investigation conducted pursuant to this division whenever the Inspector General determines it necessary to serve the interests of the state.

(c) The restrictions on public disclosure described in subdivision (b) shall only apply to records in the possession or control of the Inspector General, and shall not alter the responsibility of any other state or local agency to comply with all applicable laws regarding the disclosure of public records.