By Natalia Mochernak and Amanda Velasco

Seven current and former UCLA employees alleged in at least 22 separate whistleblower and retaliatory reports that the university’s head of strategic communications fostered a toxic work environment and mismanaged department funds, according to court documents.

Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for strategic communications since 2019, filed a lawsuit against the UC Board of Regents on Aug. 26 to block the release of an investigative report that she claimed would damage her reputation. The investigation – which was conducted by Grutman Law, P.C. and commissioned by the UC Board of Regents – includes details about Osako’s conduct and workplace relationships, according to court filings.

UCLA posted in its whistleblower portal Feb. 20 that Grutman’s investigation substantiated multiple allegations brought forth in the whistleblower reports and that they forwarded the findings to Chancellor Julio Frenk’s office, according to court documents. Osako has remained in her position since.

[Related: UCLA head of strategic communications sues UC Regents, seeks to block report release]

“The ongoing misconduct and mismanagement by Vice Chancellor Mary Osako of Strategic Communications at UCLA has persisted unchecked for far too long,” said Amanda Savercool, the former executive director of integrated marketing under strategic communications, in a June 2025 whistleblower complaint. “Staff have endured intimidation, retaliation, and unethical...

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