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SEIU-aligned worker reiterates complaints about missing Ethics Commission records, urges investigation
Summary
At the San Francisco Ethics Commission meeting, Ellen Lee Zhao, a social worker and SEIU representative, said multiple employee records and audio were missing and pressed the commission to investigate alleged extortion, bribery and retaliation; staff said investigation documents have been compiled and offered to make reports available for review.
Ellen Lee Zhao, a social worker who identified herself as a SEIU representative, told the San Francisco Ethics Commission on March 16 that records and audio tied to several employee complaints are missing from the commission’s files and urged the panel to investigate alleged extortion, bribery, retaliation and discrimination.
"I am here to follow-up with you about extortion, bribery, retaliation, discrimination, and ongoing harassment for people who stood up for their rights," Zhao said, and she left English- and Chinese-language letters from the FBI with commission staff.
The commission and staff responded that they have prepared a detailed schedule and set of reports documenting prior complaints and actions. A staff representative told the commission that a packet of dates and documents had been provided to commissioners, and Commissioners urged Zhao to review those reports to identify precisely which records are missing.
Commissioner Kopp said staff had provided a detailed schedule of complaint dates and actions and recommended Zhao review the reports before asking the commission for further time. Chair Chu said staff would exercise care and diligence in pursuing complaints where complainants could be contacted and that matters already filed with other agencies could not be transferred without those agencies’ cooperation.
Zhao pressed the commission to forward the records to the SEIU local office so the union could confirm what is missing and work with the commission to resolve discrepancies. "The bottom part is that how do we deal with missing record at ethic commission? That's the most important vital information," she said.
Chair Chu and other commissioners acknowledged Zhao’s concerns and asked staff to make the investigative reports available to her and, on request, to the union office so the public records could be cross-checked. Members noted that some prior complaints had been handled by other agencies and said the commission could not pursue cases where it lacks contact information for complainants.
The exchange concluded with commissioners urging Zhao to provide contact information for unnamed complainants and staff agreeing to make the previously compiled reports available for review.
The commission did not take any separate formal action on the allegations during the meeting; staff indicated that where complainants come forward with contact information, the commission will pursue investigation steps and requested that Zhao and others identify the specific records they believe are missing.
