Ethics Commission approves stipulation in Joanne Lee future‑employment case, 3–1

The San Francisco Ethics Commission voted 3–1 on Oct. 11 to adopt staff—s recommended stipulation in the matter of Joanne Lee, concluding that Lee violated the city—s future‑employment rule by reviewing a grant application while simultaneously pursuing a position with the applicant.

Senior investigator Eamon Wilson told commissioners the stipulation charges one count of violating the city's future employment rule and recommended a small penalty, citing mitigating factors: the grant involved was small, two other individuals reviewed Lee's decision, and Lee reported the matter to enforcement staff following a discussion with her policy manager, Michael Canning. "This stipulation in the matter of Joanne Lee consists of 1 count of a violation of the city's future employment rule," Wilson said.

Commissioners discussed the appropriateness of the penalty. Several members said they were troubled by the appearance of a conflict — an employee interviewing with an organization then participating in a government decision affecting that organization — but acknowledged staff—s finding that the grant was not discretionary and that eligibility was confirmed by others. Wilson told the commission the facts likely would have been discovered later if not for Lee—s report, and that the office has not previously had a directly analogous 3.206(c) case; staff cited the SARP program for other self‑report instances.

Eli Love, counsel for Ms. Lee, said the grants were emergency funds distributed after severe winter storms to local artists and nonprofits, were developed quickly, and that "all eligible recipients received the money," arguing Lee's participation was not determinative of the outcome. Public commenter Ellen Lee Zhao spoke during the item and repeated broader allegations about the commission—s authority and past enforcement actions.

Chair Finley moved to adopt staff's recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call vote with Chair Finley and two commissioners voting aye and one commissioner opposed. The stipulation and associated penalty were approved as presented. The commission did not state the exact penalty amount on the record beyond describing it as "small."