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Ethics commission declines to act on broad waiver request to one‑year post‑employment ban
Summary
Rob Selena, a former legislative aide, asked the San Francisco Ethics Commission for a broad waiver of the city’s one‑year post‑employment communication ban. Commissioners said the request was premature without a concrete job or specific anticipated communications and therefore made no motion to grant the waiver.
Rob Selena, who worked roughly 10 months as a legislative aide, asked the San Francisco Ethics Commission for a broad waiver of the one‑year post‑employment communication ban in the city’s campaign and governmental conduct code, saying the restriction would impose "an extreme hardship" on his efforts to find work in public affairs and communications.
Selena told commissioners he had left his legislative position after the supervisor he served left office, was competing in a tight job market and was seeking contract or staff work that could require communications with city agencies. "A one‑year restriction on my communication with City Hall ... puts me at a severe disadvantage," Selena said, and he urged the commission to evaluate whether a waiver would create a potential for "undue influence or unfair advantage."
Commissioners pushed back, saying the request was premature without specifics about the nature of future communications or a concrete job offer. Commissioner Lu said it was difficult to assess undue influence in the abstract and that the commission had not previously granted blanket waivers. Other commissioners suggested Selena return with details tied to a specific position so the commission could evaluate potential conflicts.
Public commenters echoed caution. Joe Boss, a neighborhood activist who described long experience working with city government, offered character testimony in Selena’s favor but said the commission should follow customary practice. David Pilpel recommended not acting on a broad waiver without specific facts.
Staff noted that ethics staff had not recommended either way because there were insufficient facts in the record to make a determination. When the chair called for a motion to grant the waiver, none was made; staff confirmed that without a motion the commission could not grant the waiver at this meeting. Commissioners suggested Selena return if and when a concrete job opportunity arises or request a specially scheduled meeting if there is an urgent, time‑sensitive need.
The commission took no formal action to grant a waiver at the meeting.
