Opinion No. (2001)

BILL LOCKYER Attorney General ANTHONY S. DA VIGO Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE DARRELL STEINBERG, MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY, has requested an opinion on the following questions: 1. Do the "whistleblower" statutory protections applicable to employees of state and local public entities supersede the statutes and rules governing the attorney-client privilege? 2. Do the statutory provisions relating to the disclosure of false claims actions, communications with the Legislature, and the filing of complaints or claims or the institution of proceedings pertaining to the rights of employment by employees of state and local public entities supersede the statutes and rules governing the attorney-client privilege? CONCLUSIONS 1. The "whistleblower" statutory protections applicable to employees of state and local public entities do not supersede the statutes and rules governing the attorney-client privilege. 2. The statutory provisions relating to the disclosure of false claims actions, communications with the Legislature, and the filing of complaints or claims or the institution of proceedings pertaining to the rights of employment by employees of state and local public entities…