Michael Loupe worked for Cal-OSHA‘s enforcement branch in San Bernardino and faced a litany of charges before he retired. The department spent an estimated $80,000 in workers’ comp funds to investigate him — and he was cleared of all.
Here are the details of the allegations:
Loupe, 64, was district manager of Cal-OSHA’s San Bernardino office, overseeing workplace-safety enforcement in a region operating with fewer than half its authorized staff. He is a Bronze Star recipient for Army service in Iraq and Kuwait. He retired in 2025, after the investigation cleared him.
Several former Cal-OSHA officials said he was highly regarded.
“Michael was the most honest and trusted person I ever encountered in 29 years working for the state,” said Mary Christian, who worked for Cal-OSHA’s Professional and Training Unit and at one point was supervised by Loupe. “What happened to him was unforgivable.”
Cal-OSHA is California’s workplace-safety agency. It inspects workplaces, investigates complaints and can cite and fine employers for violating health and safety rules. It is part of the Department of Industrial Relations, the state agency that oversees labor-law enforcement. District offices such as Loupe’s handle inspections and complaints, including cases involving serious injuries, deaths and heat hazards.
Over two years, Loupe raised objections regarding these matters:
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