Tensions within UCLA’s communications office have escalated into a legal dispute over the release of an investigative report stemming from whistleblower allegations against Vice Chancellor Mary Osako. The lawsuit, which came before Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, centers on efforts to prevent public disclosure of a 264-page independent investigation commissioned by the university.
Osako, who leads UCLA’s Strategic Communications division comprising over 100 staff members, faces allegations from six current and former employees accusing her of bullying, retaliation, and misuse of university funds. The complaints claim she fostered an intimidating workplace environment and directed university contracts to associates and former colleagues in violation of university policies.
The allegations surfaced after whistleblower complaints submitted through the University of California’s internal reporting system. Separately, Osako’s chief of staff, Shilo Munk, filed a retaliation complaint with UCLA’s compliance office, stating in court documents that she experienced ongoing professional harm after cooperating with investigators.
In court filings, Osako has denied many of the accusations and opposes public release of the report, arguing that such disclosure would cause irreparable damage to her reputation. Her attorneys contend that the report qualifies for exemption from public records laws applicable to personnel files. At Tuesday’s hearing, Osako’s lawyer, Paul Rigali, suggested that the judge could block release without reviewing the report but agreed to allow the judge access under seal. Judge Curtis A. Kin ordered the university and Osako’s legal team to submit the investigative documents for review and scheduled a hearing for Dec. 8 to determine whether the report should be made public.
Supporters of the whistleblowers argue the complaints reveal significant issues critical to the public interest. Mark Quigley, representing the employees, described the allegations as “very significant, very substantial.” The seven employees opposing Osako’s motion included five current staff members, whose sworn statements detailed claims of belittlement, favoritism, and retaliation. For example, one employee alleged that staff who challenged Osako’s leadership were marginalized or reassigned, while another accused her of monitoring users of the whistleblower hotline.
The report contains claims that Osako engaged in contracting practices favoring firms with ties to her former employers, including Cuore Collective, a strategic communications firm reportedly run by former Amazon colleagues, and SKDK, a public affairs agency initially hired during campus protests. Some employees suggested these firms received overlapping contracts and were given influence over internal communications work. Osako’s attorneys maintained that several accusations, including misappropriation of funds and self-promotion, are not supported by the report’s findings.
Despite the allegations, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk has publicly endorsed Osako, highlighting her leadership through budget challenges and administrative pressures. In a statement, Frenk praised her judgment and commitment to cultivating a fair workplace culture, noting her appointment in 2019 and recent reappointment to a five-year term in 2024.
An outside consultant engaged by UCLA to address inquiries about the investigation reiterated the university’s commitment to addressing workplace concerns but declined to comment further, citing personnel confidentiality. The University of California has maintained a neutral stance regarding the litigation and has not taken a position on whether the report should be exempt from public disclosure.
As the case proceeds, the court’s upcoming decision on the report’s release will determine the extent to which the investigation and related allegations become accessible to the public, weighing privacy considerations against transparency in handling internal workplace disputes at a major public university.