Ethics Commission finds probable cause in campaign finance complaint against Cesar Escarones and Bessie Naderino

The San Francisco Ethics Commission announced a finding of probable cause that respondents Cesar Escarones and Bessie Naderino committed several campaign finance and reporting violations, and directed the executive director to issue an accusation under the commission’s enforcement regulations.

Returning from closed session, Executive Director St. Croix read the finding of probable cause in Ethics Complaint 1311013 and listed alleged violations: reporting and receiving a loan in excess of $120,000, repaying a loan in excess of $120,000, failing to accurately report loan amounts or deposit dates, failing to provide requested documents within 10 business days, multiple failures to maintain detailed records of expenditures, and numerous counts for failing to make campaign expenditures from the committee bank account as required under local and state law.

St. Croix identified the respondents by name in open session and the commission certified on the record that each participating commissioner had reviewed the evidence. The commission emphasized that respondents are presumed innocent until allegations are proved at a later hearing on the merits, and directed staff to proceed with an accusation under the Ethics Commission’s regulations.

The finding moves the case to the formal enforcement phase; the executive director will prepare the accusation document and the matter will proceed to a subsequent hearing to determine whether the alleged violations are sustained.