Ethics Commission Fines Former Entertainment Commissioner for Violating Gift and Public Financial Disclosure Laws
Date: March 19, 2018
Contact: LeeAnn Pelham (415) 252-3100
For Immediate Release
The San Francisco Ethics Commission has fined former Entertainment Commission member Audrey Joseph $2,550 for accepting VIP tickets from the organizer of the Outside Lands Music Festival in violation of annual gift limits and public disclosure requirements in 2014 and 2015. In matters settled during the Commission’s March 16, 2018, regular meeting, the Commission levied the administrative enforcement penalty for two violations of the City’s ethics laws as detailed in the approved Stipulation, Decision, and Order. As a member of the City’s Entertainment Commission from 2013 to 2016, Joseph was subject to annual gift limits and was required by law to publicly disclose gifts she received on her annual Statement of Economic Interests known as a “Form 700.”
“Gift limits and public disclosure help promote government service that is responsive to the public’s interests,” Ethics Commission Executive Director LeeAnn Pelham said. “Compliance with both is fundamental to ensuring impartial decision making and accountability.”
Annual Statements of Economic Interests are required to be filed online by April 1 each year by City elected officials, board and commission members, and department heads. Statements of Economic Interests are public documents and are available for review on the Commission’s website at sfethics.org.
A copy of the approved stipulation can be viewed here or can be requested by contacting the Commission at (415) 252-3100.