For information: Michael Canning, Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager (415) 252-3100
On June 13, 2025, the San Francisco Ethics Commission conducted a Show Cause Hearing in the matter of Matthew Lotocki v. San Francisco Police Department (File No. 24021), following a referral from the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force (“SOTF”).
Section 10(B) of the Commission’s Enforcement Regulations, permits SOTF to refer a matter to the Ethics Commission following the issuance of an Order of Determination, whenever SOTF believes that a City officer or employee has failed to comply with the Sunshine Ordinance. In this case, SOTF alleged that the San Francisco Police Department violated the Sunshine Ordinance by failing to produce certain records following a public records request by Petitioner, Mr. Matthew Lotocki.
After both parties presented their case, and following discussions, the Commission discussed several issues, including whether:
- SOTF presented any allegation of a willful violation of the Sunshine Ordinance by any elected official or department head;
- the Commission could find willful violation of the Order of Determination issued by SOTF; and
- the Commission has statutory authority to impose administrative penalties in connection with SOTF referrals, since such authority is not clearly articulated within the Charter or the Sunshine Ordinance.
At its regularly scheduled meeting on July 11, 2025, the Commission formally voted to take no action on the referral, without any prejudice to Mr. Lotocki.
The Commission reaffirms its commitment to strengthening government accountability, transparency, and public trust in the City. While its jurisdiction is defined by the Charter and City law, the Commission remains dedicated to working collaboratively with other oversight bodies, including SOTF, to promote openness and integrity in San Francisco government.
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The San Francisco Ethics Commission was created directly by the City’s voters with the passage of Proposition K in November 1993 and is responsible for the independent and impartial administration and enforcement of laws related to campaign finance, public financing of candidates, governmental ethics, conflicts of interests, and registration and reporting by lobbyists, campaign consultants, permit consultants, and major developers.
Our mission is to practice and promote the highest standards of integrity in government. We achieve that by delivering impactful programs that promote fair, transparent, and accountable governmental decision making for the benefit of all San Franciscans. Public service is a public trust, and our aim is to ensure that San Franciscans can have confidence that the operations of the City and County and the decisions made by its officials and employees are fair, just, and made without any regard to private or personal gain.