During a recent meeting of the San Francisco Ethics Commission, a passionate plea from community member Francisco de Costa highlighted concerns over the commission's integrity and independence. De Costa, who has been involved with the commission since its inception, criticized its current operations, claiming they have become corrupt and no longer fulfill their intended purpose as outlined in the city charter.
De Costa specifically called for the secretary of the commission to be independent, arguing that the current structure has led to a lack of accountability and has made the commission complicit with corrupt entities within City Hall. He expressed deep disappointment in the commission's trajectory, suggesting that it has strayed from its mission to serve the public and uphold ethical standards.
His remarks resonated with broader concerns about transparency and governance in San Francisco, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding local leadership. De Costa drew parallels between the commission's situation and national issues, invoking the name of former President Donald Trump to emphasize the seriousness of perceived corruption.
The meeting underscored the ongoing struggle for ethical governance in the city, with de Costa's comments serving as a rallying cry for greater accountability and reform. As the Ethics Commission continues its work, the community will be watching closely to see how it responds to these serious allegations and whether it can restore public trust.