Supervisors Approve Measure to Expand City’s Anti-Corruption Capacity
SAN FRANCISCO — In the wake of revelations of government corruption and misconduct, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved legislation today to expand the city’s capacity to investigate and oversee city functions through the Board’s Budget and Legislation Analyst. The vote follows a budgetary allocation from Supervisor Preston to grow the BLA to undertake an increased role in preventing public corruption.
“San Francisco’s current system of checks and balances has not worked to root out corruption, and we cannot simply wait for the next round of federal corruption indictments,” said Supervisor Dean Preston. “We must be proactive in preventing corruption and restoring public trust. This requires an increased commitment at all levels of government, including enhanced oversight from the Board of Supervisors.”
The Budget and Legislative Analyst contracts with the city, providing annual program audits, reports requested by the Board, and recommendations regarding legislation with budgetary impact. Despite the growth of the City’s budget over the years, the BLA’s capacity has not increased, and in fact has been flat for the last decade. As a result, reports and audits can take many months–in some cases up to a year–and the BLA has to strictly limit the number of program audits it can perform.
As part of the Board’s budget negotiations decided late last month, Supervisor Preston earmarked an additional $800,000 to expand the BLA’s capacity. The motion passed today puts into effect this expanded oversight role once the funds are released.
“San Franciscans rightfully expect elected officials and department heads to be honest stewards of public trust,” said Supervisor Preston. “By expanding the Board’s oversight capacity – the only branch of local government that has not been mired in scandal in recent years – we can better build trust with the people we serve.”
Since 2020, the following scandals have embroiled the city’s executive branch:
Director of SF Public Works Department, Mohammed Nuru, indicted for fraud and corruption, January 2020
Mayor London Breed admits receiving gifts from Nuru in violation of city ethics laws, February 2020.
Director of Department of Building Inspection, Tom Hui, resigns amidst corruption allegations, March 2020.
Director of Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, Sandra Zuniga, removed from office after being charged with conspiring to launder money, June 2020
City Administrator Naomi Kelly -- Nuru’s supervisor -- revealed in Controller’s report to have known that Nuru was urging contractors to make donations to Public Works in violation of ethics rules, September 2020
SFPUC General Manager Harlan Kelly charged with public corruption, November 2020
Department of the Environment Director Debbie Raphael resigned over alleged solicitation of a donation from Recology, April 2022
Board of Appeals President Darryl Honda resigned after failing to disclose economic interests, May 2022
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