EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
TO THE SAN FRANCISCO ETHICS COMMISSION
For the Special Meeting of May 30, 2013
1. Statements of Economic Interests.
April 2, 2013 was the deadline for the receipt of annual Statements of Economic Interests (SEIs). On May 16, 2013, staff sent second notices to 31 non-filers to inform them that the Commission will refer their non-filing status to the Fair Political Practices Commission’s (FPPC) enforcement division for investigation and possible prosecution, if the Commission does not receive their SEI filings by June 5, 2013.
As of May 17, 2013, 603 filers have filed their annual SEI forms (including leaving office or assuming office statements) with the Commission. Staff continues to process and post forms on the Commission’s website.
2. Investigation and enforcement program.
As of May 21, 2013, there are 23 pending formal complaints alleging violations within the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction.
| Category | # of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Campaign Finance | 10 |
| Conflict of Interest | 8 |
| Governmental Ethics | 0 |
| Lobbyist Ordinance | 0 |
| Campaign Consultant Ordinance | 2 |
| Sunshine Ordinance | 3 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
3. Campaign finance disclosure program.
a. Filing deadline. The most recent filing deadline was on January 31, 2013 for the Second Semi-Annual statement, which covers the reporting period ending December 31, 2012. The next filing deadline that applies to all campaign filers is July 31, 2013 for the First Semi-Annual Statement, which covers the reporting period ending June 30, 2013.
b. Collection of late filing fees and contribution forfeitures. In the FY12-13, as of May 20, the Commission collected a total of $39,063 in campaign finance late fees and forfeitures. Outstanding late fees and forfeitures total $22,583 of which waiver requests are pending for $210; and $6,659 is pending at the Bureau of Delinquent Revenues (BDR).
c. Status of accounts to San Francisco Bureau of Delinquent Revenues (BDR). The following chart provides details on active accounts referred to BDR:
| # | Committee/ Filer |
ID # | Treasurer or Responsible Officer | Date referral effective | Original amount referred | Last month’s balance | Current balance (Changes are in bold) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny K. Wang JKW Political Consulting |
100716 | Johnny K. Wang | 4/19/11 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| 2 | Coalition to Elect Chris Jackson to Community College Board | 1302351 | Chris Jackson | 6/17/11 | 2,658.90 | $2,658.90 | 2,658.90 |
| TOTAL | $6,659 |
4. Revenues report.
For FY 12-13, the Commission was budgeted to generate $100,000 in revenues. As of May 21, 2013, the Commission received $116,980 as summarized below. The figure represents collection of approximately 117 percent of expected revenues for FY 12-13.
Revenues received as of May 21, 2013:
| Source | Budgeted Amount FY 12-13 | Receipts |
|---|---|---|
| Lobbyist Fees | $27,000 | $48,075 |
| Other Ethics General | $1,000 | $113 |
| Campaign Finance Fines | $50,000 | $39,063 |
| Campaign Consultant Fees | $18,000 | $7,400 |
| Lobbyist Fines | $1,000 | $600 |
| Statements of Economic Interests Fines | $1,000 | $5,580 |
| Other Ethics Fines | $1,000 | $14,477 |
| Campaign Consultant Fines | $1,000 | $600 |
| Unallocated | $0 | $1,072 |
| Total | $100,000 | $116,980 |
5. Lobbyist program.
As of May 16, 2013, 86 individual lobbyists were registered with the Commission. For
FY 12–13, as of May 16, 2013, total revenues collected were $48,675, including $48,075 in lobbyist registration fees and $600 in late fines. The filing deadline for the next lobbyist disclosure statement is June 17, 2013.
6. Campaign Consultant program.
As of May 21, 2013, 20 campaign consultants were registered with the Commission. $7,400 in registration fees and $600 in fines have been collected so far during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The next campaign consultant quarterly report deadline is Monday, June17, 2013. Staff will send reminders to all active campaign consultants two weeks before the deadline.
7. Outreach and Education.
Staff conducted a training session on May 1, 2013 for candidates and their treasurers about campaign finance requirements, the voluntary expenditure ceilings applicable to each race (City Attorney, Treasurer, Assessor/Recorder) and the public financing program applicable to candidates for the District 4 seat on the Board of Supervisors.
On May 8, 2013, staff met with a delegation of 11 Yunnan civil servants representing the Yunnan Provincial Bureau, China. The group, organized by Triway International Group, which hosts Chinese delegations in the U.S. for educational and exchange purposes, was interested in learning about the work of the Ethics Commission, investigations, and performance standards.
The Commission continues to offer trainings on Statements of Incompatible Activities to City departments via web trainings. The following are web video trainings available on the Commission website:
- Department of Building Inspection SIA Training
- Candidates’ Training
- Controller’s Office SIA Training
- Department on the Environment SIA Training
- Governmental Ethics Ordinance Training for City Employees
- Lobbyist Ordinance Training
- Medical Examiner’s Office SIA Training
- Non-Candidate Recipient Committee Training
- Public Utilities Commission SIA Training
- SIA Template Language Training
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
John St. Croix
Executive Director
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