Fighting government overreach through lawsuits, policy, and pressure.
The California Civil Defense Institute exposes misconduct, enforces constitutional rights, and holds public agencies accountable through litigation, policy advocacy, and strategic investigations.
Built to fight government overreach
The California Civil Defense Institute was founded to do what others won't: hold government accountable through policy, investigation, and litigation. We exist because citizens, property owners, and small businesses needed an organization willing to expose misconduct and force real change. And unlike national organizations spread thin across all 50 states, we are exclusively California-focused — because we love this state and believe its best days are still ahead.
Meet the leadership behind CCDI
A lean, growing team ensuring every donor dollar goes directly toward exposing government misconduct and protecting civil rights across California.
Greg Hansen
Founder and President
Greg Hansen is the Founder and President of the California Civil Defense Institute, a public-interest organization built to help Californians expose and challenge abusive government conduct. CCDI uses public records, public accountability, civil-rights tools, litigation support, and policy reform to defend citizens against government overreach and help build a better California. Before founding CCDI, Greg built and operated businesses in software consulting, technology delivery, and venture capital. That background now drives CCDI’s practical approach: find the facts, expose the abuse, build the tools, and help citizens fight back. Greg holds an MBA from Liberty University, a Master of Arts in Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Jose State University. His mission is simple: defend citizens against abusive government and help make California the best place in the country to live, raise a family, build a business, and thrive.
Janelle Renee
Chief of Staff
Janelle Hansen serves as Chief of Staff to the President of the California Civil Defense Institute, helping oversee internal operations, execution, and coordination across CCDI’s major initiatives. She supports CCDI’s work in public records, litigation support, policy reform, communications, and organizational development. Her role is to keep the work moving, keep the systems organized, and make sure strategy turns into action. Before CCDI, Janelle built experience in program finance, contract administration, and audit-ready operational systems. That background helps her manage sensitive information, complex workflows, and fast-moving projects with accuracy and control. Janelle holds a BS in Marketing and an MBA in International Business from Azusa Pacific University, including international business experience across Asia. Her work is defined by reliability, discretion, and precision under pressure. At CCDI, she helps provide the operational backbone for an organization built to defend citizens and challenge abusive government.
Partners and supporters stand with CCDI
CCDI stepped in and immediately saw what was wrong. They didn’t treat it like a minor issue—they treated it like what it was: government overreach. They broke down the violations, challenged the basis for the fines, and forced the county to justify actions they clearly couldn’t defend.
Joel Birch
Owner of J.T. Birch Woodworking
I was operating a fully permitted vacation rental, doing everything by the book, and still found myself targeted by the county. The inspections escalated, the fines piled up to nearly $30,000, and it became clear this wasn’t about compliance—it was selective enforcement. CCDI stepped in and recognized the pattern immediately. They pushed back on the warrantless inspections, challenged the fines, and treated my case for what it was: retaliation against a homeowner trying to run a lawful business.
London Litza
Vacation Home Rental (VHR) Owner
The County hit me with $228,800 in fines for building treehouses meant to support at-risk foster youth. No one was harmed. No complaints. Just escalating penalties and warrantless enforcement that made it impossible to keep going. CCDI stepped in and treated it for what it was—an unlawful inspection and a system abusing its power. They challenged the entries, the fines, and the entire premise that helping kids should be punished like a crime.
Bob Cardosa
Founder & Executive Director of Our Healing Forest
Transparency, Accountability, Justice
These core values drive every investigation, policy recommendation, and lawsuit we pursue to protect civil liberties and expose government misconduct.
Speed, Volume, and Pressure
Act quickly, bring many actions, and apply constant pressure. Enforcement is continuous and overwhelming, not occasional.
Real-World Impact
Focus only on issues that cause actual harm to real people. If no one is harmed, it is not a legitimate target for enforcement. This rejects victimless regulation and keeps attention on what citizens truly experience.
Equal Application of Law
One standard. No carveouts for government, agencies, or insiders.
Government Works for the People
Authority flows from the people. Government is not in charge of people. It exists to serve them, within limits, and answer for what it does.
Human Flourishing
Protect the ability of individuals, families, and small businesses to work, build, and thrive without unnecessary interference.
Ready to take action against government overreach?
Contact the California Civil Defense Institute to report abuse, share your case, or learn how we can help protect your rights.