During a recent San Francisco commission meeting, significant discussions centered around enforcement actions against city officials for violations of conflict of interest laws. The commission addressed two notable cases involving financial misconduct by city commissioners, leading to proposed penalties and a call for greater accountability.

In the first case, Yaku Askew, a former member of the San Francisco Arts Commission, faced three counts of misconduct, including contracting with the city while serving as an officer and voting on matters that presented a financial conflict of interest. The proposed penalties totaled $8,500, which raised concerns among commissioners about the adequacy of the fines relative to the substantial contracts involved, estimated at nearly $4 million. The commission ultimately decided to reject the settlement proposal, directing staff to negotiate a higher penalty that better reflects the severity of the violations.

The second case involved Gwyneth Borden, vice president of the MTA board, who was found to have engaged in prohibited compensated advocacy while serving as a commissioner. Borden accepted $12,500 for lobbying efforts without proper registration, leading to a proposed penalty of $9,000. Similar to the Askew case, commissioners expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed fine, arguing it did not adequately address the potential for undue influence and the seriousness of the violations. The commission voted to send this case back for further review and negotiation as well.

These discussions highlight the commission's commitment to enforcing ethical standards among city officials and ensuring transparency in government operations. The outcomes of these cases will likely set important precedents for future enforcement actions and underscore the necessity for public officials to adhere to conflict of interest regulations. The commission plans to revisit both cases in upcoming meetings, aiming for resolutions that reflect the gravity of the misconduct involved.