City and County of San Francisco
Ethics Commission

English

Contact:
John St. Croix
(415) 252-3100

For release: February 26, 2013

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT FEBRUARY 25, 2013 MEETING

At its regular meeting on February 25, 2013, the San Francisco Ethics Commission took the following actions:

• After hearing statements from the respective Complainant and Respondent, and considering public comment, on matters submitted under Chapter Three of the Ethics Commission’s Regulations for Violations of the Sunshine Ordinance,
  • In Ethics Complaint No. 03-12042, by a vote of 4-0, held that City Librarian Luis Herrera did not violate San Francisco Administrative Code (“Sunshine Ordinance”) section 67.16;
  • In Ethics Complaint No. 15-111205, by a vote of 4-0, held that Recreation and Parks Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg did not violate Sunshine Ordinance sections 67.25, 67.26, 67.27, and 67.21(c).
• After hearing statements from the respective Respondent(s) and/or Complainants, and considering public comment, on matters submitted under Chapter Two of the Ethics Commission’s Regulations for Violations of the Sunshine Ordinance, 
  • In Ethics Complaint No. 15-111205, by a vote of 4-0, held that Recreation and Parks Department employee Olive Gong violated Sunshine Ordinance section 67.25 for failure to respond within one business day to the Immediate Disclosure Request of Complainant, that Recreation and Parks Commission President Mark Buell and Recreation and Parks Department employee Sarah Ballard did not violate section 67.25; and that Ms. Gong, Mr. Buell and Ms. Ballard did not violate Sunshine Ordinance sections 67.26, 67.27 and 67.21(c), and directed the Executive Director to issue a letter to the Recreation and Parks Department;
  • In Ethics Complaint No. 04-120507, by a vote of 4-0, held that Municipal Transportation Agency employee Caroline Celaya violated Sunshine Ordinance section 67.21(b) for not providing documents to Complainant in a timely manner, but did not violate sections 67.21(c) or 67.21(e), and directed the Executive Director to issue a letter to the Municipal Transportation Agency;
  • In Ethics Complaint No. 07-120621, by a vote of 4-0, held that Department of Public Works Interim Director Mohammed Nuru and Executive Assistant Frank Lee did not violate Sunshine Ordinance sections 67.21(c) and 67.21(e);
  • In Ethics Complaint No. 09-12073, by a vote of 4-0, held that Arts Commission Street Artists Program Director Howard Lazar violated Sunshine Ordinance section 67.22(b) for failure to release public information to Complainant on a timely and responsive basis, but did not violate any other section of the Sunshine Ordinance based on standards set forth in Chapter Two of the Commission’s Regulations for Violations of the Sunshine Ordinance, and directed the Executive Director to issue a letter to the Arts Commission.

The next regular meeting of the Commission will be held on Monday, March 25, 2013 in Room 400 City Hall.                   

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The Ethics Commission, established in November 1993, serves the public, City employees and officials and candidates for public office through education and enforcement of ethics laws.  Its duties include:  filing and auditing of campaign finance disclosure statements, lobbyist and campaign consultant registration and regulation, administration of the public financing program, whistleblower program, conflict of interest reporting, investigations and enforcement, education and training, advice giving and statistical reporting. 

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