As part of the Ethics Commission’s enforcement hearing process, a finding of probable cause must be made before a case can proceed to a hearing on the merits before the Ethics Commission. The process begins when the Director of Enforcement delivers a Probable Cause Report to the Executive Director and the respondent. The respondent may submit a written response and may request a Probable Cause Conference with the Executive Director. After reviewing the Probable Cause Report, any response or rebuttal, and any new information provided at a conference, the Executive Director will make a written probable cause determination.
If the Executive Director finds probable cause, the Executive Director will issue a Probable Cause Determination Report and post it on the Commission’s website. A finding of probable cause does not constitute a finding that a violation has occurred. If the Executive Director finds that probable cause does not exist, the Executive Director will prepare a confidential written finding of no probable cause. The finding of no probable cause is subject to review by the Commission as provided in the Enforcement Regulations and becomes final in accordance with those regulations.
Probable Cause Conferences are confidential and closed to the public unless the respondent requests that the conference be open to the public and all other respondents agree. The Probable Cause Report, responses, and rebuttals are confidential as provided in the Enforcement Regulations, except as otherwise provided by law.
Below is a list of matters in which the Executive Director has made a probable cause determination. These cases may have subsequently been resolved through stipulation or a hearing on the merits. If so, the case will be listed on the Penalties Issued page. Notice of all hearings on the merits will be issued to all parties at least 30 calendar days prior to the commencement of the hearing. All hearings on the merits will be open to the public.
| Finding of Probable Cause Issue Date | Case |
|---|---|
| November 6, 2025 | In the Matter of Sheryl Davis, SFEC Case No. 25-838 |
| July 1, 2025 | In the Matter of Charlie Chiem, SFEC Case No. 24-787 |
| March 5, 2025 | In the Matter of William Walker, SFEC Case No. 23-507 |
| January 5, 2023 | In the Matter of Progress San Francisco, Vince Courtney, Jr., and Shawnda Deane SFEC Case 2021-025 |
| December 27, 2022 | In the Matter of Victor Makras, SFEC Case No. 2021-001 |
| December 26, 2022 | In the Matter of Paul Allen Taylor, SFEC Case 1920-031 |