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Ethics Commission finds Bob Squarey violated disclosure rules, fines $2,000
Summary
In absentia, the commission found respondent Bob Squarey ran two 2012 campaign door‑hanger ads with disclosure text smaller than required under the city's campaign code and imposed two $1,000 fines (total $2,000); the vote carried 4–1.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission found that Bob Squarey violated campaign‑disclosure size requirements after staff presented evidence that two 2012 door‑hanger campaign ads included disclosure statements smaller than allowed under Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code section 1.162(a)(1).
Garrett Chatfield, representing commission staff, told the panel that the respondent had been repeatedly notified over several years and had not cooperated with staff outreach. Chatfield said staff submitted a brief and eight exhibits and recommended the commission determine the violations in the respondent's absence.
Commissioners debated appropriate penalties, noting typical settlements in similar cases often resolved in the $500 range when respondents cooperated early. Several commissioners said the maximum statutory penalty is high relative to the harm for a font‑size violation but that repeated noncooperation justified a larger sanction. After public comment favoring deterrence, the commission voted to find the violation and assessed a $1,000 penalty per count for two counts — a total of $2,000. The motion passed 4–1.
The commission record shows staff made multiple attempts to notify Squarey (personal service, letters and phone calls) and that staff would pursue collection through the City’s Bureau of Delinquent Revenue if the judgment is not paid.
The commission’s decision distinguishes between discussion and formal action: the finding is a formal administrative determination resulting in a civil monetary penalty; no criminal charges were discussed.
